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MENTAL HEALTH EUROPE NEWSLETTER | ISSUE N° 10 | NOVEMBER 2022
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Statement on the new mental health initiative by the European Parliament Coalition on Mental Health and Wellbeing
The European Parliament Coalition for Mental Health and Wellbeing appreciates the European Commission's commitment to bring forward EU policies and actions on mental health and calls to utilise this moment to ensure transformational change on mental health. Without urgent action, the rise of psychosocial support demands will continue to increase, and the mental health impacts of unprecedented situations such as the pandemic, war in Ukraine, climate and cost-of-living crises, will be long-term and pervasive.
Read the statement
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More from Mental Health Europe |
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MHE published paper on Mental Health and geopolitical crises: Ukraine and beyond
The Ukraine war has pushed global displacement to a record high, resulting in the largest human displacement crisis recorded in the world today. It is well known that the burden of mental health problems is high in conflict-affected populations. Wars and conflicts can expose individuals to different traumatic events when people are forced to uproot their lives. This paper explores the short, medium and the long-term challenges to mental health linked to the Ukraine war and beyond. Mental health support should be prioritised as part of a comprehensive approach to well-being.
Read the paper
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MHE statement for the Steering Committee for Human Rights in the fields of Biomedicine and Health (CD-BIO)
MHE Vice-President Kristijan Grđan spoke at the CD-BIO meeting (2-3 November) and highlighted the unique opportunity for the Council of Europe to take regional leadership in respecting and promoting the human rights of people with psychosocial disabilities, the first of that kind after UN CRPD came into force. He said MHE welcomes the decision of the Committee of Ministers to suspend further work on the draft Additional Protocol to the Oviedo Convention, instead requesting CD-BIO to draft a Recommendation on voluntary measures in mental health settings.
Read the speech
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MHE survey to gain insight about the mental health of people with physical disabilities
A survey has been produced to help us to better understand how physical disability and mental health problems interact in society, what barriers and stigma people face and what policy makers should prioritize to improve lives and wellbeing across Europe. This survey is meant for everyone in Europe with a physical disability and it is completely anonymous.
Fill in the survey here
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MHE Director Claudia Marinetti spoke at the EU Health Security event by the European's Commission DG SANTE
At the conference 'Covid-19 lessons learned to build a stronger EU Health Union’, Claudia reiterated the importance of focusing on mental health. To ensure a stronger EU, we need to expand our understanding of mental health and improve the narrative: mental health is good. This requires ending stigma by leveraging current awareness and building resilient communities. Her speech highlighted the social determinants of mental health, the need to invest in prevention and promotion, and the importance of taking a true co-creation approach.
Learn more and watch Claudia's video
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MHE Policy & Knowledge Officer Francesca Centola explained the importance of co-creation at the WHO Europe Pan-European Coalition 2nd Meeting
At the WHO Europe 2nd Meeting of the Pan-European Mental Health Coalition in Ankara, Francesca spoke passionately in favour of co-creation in policy and service development. Youth advocates and experts by experience stress the importance to not just be heard but believed. She highlighted good examples from Ireland and announced that MHE is working on guidelines and training on co-creation.
Find out more
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MHE Policy & Knowledge Officer Fatima Awil highlighted the value of lived experience at WHO's Greek Mental Health Week in Athens
The first Greek Mental Health Week, a joint initiative of WHO/Europe, through its Quality of Care Office in Athens, and the Government of Greece, was a special 3-day series of events on 3-5 November. The week aimed to raise awareness about the mental health of children and young people in Greece and across the WHO European Region. Fatima Awil representing MHE’s Youth Taskforce spoke at this event and highlighted that lived experiences should be at the centre of all efforts. If it’s without us, then it’s not for us.
Read the WHO's news release
See more here
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Updates from institutions and partners
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The European Commission kick-starts work on the European Year of Skills
Announced by President Ursula von der Leyen in her State of the Union address, the 2023 European Year of Skills aims to boost competitiveness, participation and talent. The Commission proposes to give a fresh impetus to lifelong learning. The full potential of the European workforce could be harnessed and support people in changing jobs by promoting increased, more effective and inclusive investment in training and up-skilling.
Read more about the 2023 European Year of Skills
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CPME issued a press release on the need to take action on climate change as a necessary and immediate priority for the healthcare sector
The Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) calls on EU and national policymakers to strengthen the climate resilience of health systems; prepare for consequences of extreme weather events and rising numbers of migrants; respond adequately to the increased need for mental health support and health inequalities. CPME also highlighted the need for increased awareness on the link between climate change and health risks in all policy areas.
Read the press release
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EPHA responds to the Commission's public consultation to identify priorities in the new EU Global Health Strategy
EPHA contributed to the public consultation and identified seven priorities including “integrating community-based services and funding CSOs to reach and increase mental health literacy for everyone”. To implement this ambitious agenda, EPHA recommends various aspects such as the need for the EU to take a leading role in global responsibility and enforcing the commitments taken at the global level.
Read EPHA's consultation response
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GoGreenRoutes Project Reflecting on Maynooth Autumn School
‘ Our Future in Forestry’ - three days education and cultural connection - took place at the Autumn School at Maynooth. Participants gained firsthand experience of the rejuvenation and connection that forests can provide including a boost to mental health. MHE is part of the GoGreenRoutes project, which looks at the positive effects of nature-based solutions on people’s physical and mental health.
Read more about the Autumn School
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Greek citizens benefited from 'We Strenghten Together' telephone helpline during the pandemic
During the Covid-19 pandemic many families were pushed apart. To reach struggling citizens, a telephone helpline service was set up at the beginning of the pandemic. The helpline provided mental health and social support for the most vulnerable in the region, teaching them how to care of themselves and how to avoid feeling excluded from society. This helped families to feel emotionally closer during a difficult period of social isolation.
Read more about ‘We Strengthen Together’ helpline
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In case you missed it
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Mad in America
Are We Witnessing the Emergency of a New Paradigm? >>
The Atlantic
Mental-Health Days Are Only a Band-Aid for Burnout >>
Harvard Business Review
How to Respond When an Employee Shares a Mental Health Challenge >>
Nonprofit (Xarxanet.org)
In the context of multiple crises, mental health should take centre stage (MHE op-ed) >>
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Wall Street Journal
Toxic workplaces are bad for mental and physical health, Surgeon General says >>
Euronews
Europe's mental health crisis in data: which country uses the most antidepressants? >>
Social Europe
Mental health in a digital world of work >>
BBC
The surprising benefits of blue spaces >>
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Euractiv
Malta launches new mental health service amid growing concerns >>
Axios
Water insecurity is stressing mental health >>
The Journal.ie
The truth about climate anxiety: we talk to an expert to find out more >>
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Calls, events & opportunities
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On Social Media
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Wellbeing Tip of the Month
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Our #MentalHealth tip
Bird and birdsong encounters improve mental health
Research suggests visits to places with birdlife could be prescribed by doctors to improve mental health and well-being.
Learn more
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