Conference paper
ONE OF MANY LESSONS FROM THE EUROPEAN MENTAL HEALTH INTEGRATION INDEX
Sławomir Murawiec
; “Dialogue” Therapy Centre, Warsaw, Poland
Krzysztof Krysta
; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
Abstract
The Mental Health Integration Index developed by the Economist Intelligence Unit describes and explores the challenges of
European countries of integrating people with mental illness into society and employment, within the European Union’s 28 Member
States, plus Norway and Switzerland. Countries have been ranked according to estimation based on indicators of their degree of
commitment to support those living with mental illness into society and employment. The Index is based on a list of indicators
including the environment for those with mental illness, their access to medical help and services, their opportunities – specifically
job-related - and the governance of the system, including human rights issues and efforts to combat stigma. The indicators were
developed in consultation with a panel of independent experts on mental health. Key findings of the research are that Germany's
strong healthcare system and generous social provision put it at the top of the Index, with the UK and Scandinavian states not far
behind. However, examples of best practice “islands of excellence” in integration are not limited to the leading countries and exists
in all European Countries.
The Index reveals also the discrepancy between perfect legislation and poor implementation of it in practice in many European
countries. It proposes that the investment figure is a proxy for seriousness in establishing good policy and practice. According to the
Index some reform plans including entire national mental health programmes are largely aspirational and are grossly under-funded.
Moreover various levels of government responsible for the implementation of its component parts are largely ignoring its
implementation. When we consider the legislation as an promise to professionals and people with mental health problems, this
promise is largely unfulfilled. The is a need for strong leadership in mental health changes process, policy capacity and real
financial investments in the way of The European countries to develop community based mental health services and system of care.
Keywords
psychiatry; Public Health; Integration; communication skills
Hrčak ID:
264460
URI
Publication date:
8.9.2015.
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