4858 Mental Health Report - National University of Ireland, Galway

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Collaborative Practice and Policy • Mental health problems cause a heavy and increasing burden that contributes to high costs to our societies, long-lasting disability, increased mortality and enormous human suffering. Moreover some mental health problems, such as depression, are becoming increasingly common. • Effective evidence-based measures are available to promote mental health as well as to prevent and treat mental health problems. • Each member state should develop its own mental health strategy as an integral part of a comprehensive public health policy taking into account the social and cultural circumstances. Mental health should be considered in all policies across all levels and sectors. • Substantial added value is to be gained in the field of promotion of mental health by tightening co-operation between member states and applicant countries, as well as with the rest of Europe and within a more global context. The STAKES report points to the fact that an efficient collaborative structure for the various organisations and networks active in the field is still lacking and highlights that transnational collaboration can help achieve mutual benefits between participants. The World Health Organisation has stated that governments are the ultimate stewards of mental health, and need to assume the responsibility for ensuring that these complex activities are carried out. One critical role in stewardship is to develop and implement policy. This means identifying the major issues and objectives, defining the respective roles of the public and private sectors in financing and provision, and identifying the policy instruments and organisational arrangements required in the public and possibly the private sectors to meet mental health objectives. It also means prompting action for capacity building and organisational development, and providing guidance for prioritising expenditure, thus linking analysis of problems to decisions about resource allocation (World Health Organisation 2001). It is of the utmost importance that mental health and its promotion should be integrated closely with all public health strategies. The value of mental health needs to be recognised throughout the European Union - across all levels and all sectors of society -and the EU should use all available means to facilitate international co-operation and alliances between member states (STAKES 2001). Mental Health Policies in Europe In 1997 11 out of 15 member states surveyed said they had a written mental health policy statement or relevant documents setting out the government’s overall mental health strategy with a timetable for implementation (STAKES 1999). Included are the UK and Ireland. 89
Collaborative Practice and Policy At the national level, the lack of policy frameworks emphasising the importance of mental health poses a major barrier. The awareness of governments and policy makers concerning mental health issues must be raised (STAKES 1999). European Policy In May 2000 the European Commission adopted a Communication on the Health Strategy of the European Community (COM (2000) 285 final). In addition a proposal for adopting a programme of Community action in the field of public health was also adopted. This new health strategy and the public health action programme will bring about a substantial reform of European health policy. The action programme provides for a more horizontal approach to improving the health of EU citizens, and explicitly commits to consultation with a wide range of stakeholders in the health community. This broad strategy on health combines action in the field of public health with measures to ensure consistency with other EU policy areas. Article 152 of the Treaty on European Union states that a high level of human health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Community policies and activities. The need for a broad strategy does not only arise from the legal requirement to integrate health into all EU policies contained in article 152, but also responds to the fact that the health of EU citizens is directly or indirectly affected by a number of EU policies. A Communication on the Development of Public Health Policy (contained within the Health Strategy Communication) outlines a possible new Community public health policy based upon three strands of action which include tackling health determinants through health promotion and disease prevention. Policy Documents in Neighbouring Countries England The policy document Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation (1999) recognises that mental health problems are common and many people experience anxiety or depression at some point in their lives. Poor mental health is a risk factor for many physical health problems. This document sets out a specific target to reduce the death rate from suicide and undetermined injury by at least a fifth by 2010, saving up to 4,000 lives in total. Also included is a commitment to a new mental health strategy for which the UK government has developed a National Service Framework for Mental Health (1999). Included in this framework is a standard for mental health promotion. For the first time, health and social services have been given a clear remit to promote mental health. By March 2002 health authorities, in partnership with social services, must develop a range of strategies to meet the National Service Framework’s performance targets. Within the Department of Health, the mental 90
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A Report for the Centre For Cross B
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About the Authors Dr. Margaret Barr
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Acknowledgements We would like to t
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Introductory comments by the Depart
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Background and Rationale 1 There is
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Background and Rationale of mental
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Background and Rationale underlined
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Background and Rationale • Produc
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Project Aims and Objectives 2 This
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Methodology 3 Phase 1: Methodology
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Methodology semi-structured intervi
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Methodology Methods for Review and
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Methodology Lifestyle risk factors
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Methodology • To identify the str
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References Layte, R., Jenkinson, C.
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References Sindall, C. (1997) Inter
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Promoting Positive Mental Health: C
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Promoting Positive Mental Health an
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Organisations which contributed to
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The Centre for Cross Border Studies
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4858 Mental Health Report - National University of Ireland, Galway

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