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European Commission Green Paper on mental health

Avon and Wilts Partnership Trust, Green Lane Hospital, Devizes SN10 5DS, email: martin.elphick{at}awp.nhs.uk

Professor Stefan Priebe (Psychiatric Bulletin, August 2006, 30, 281–282) asks whether the European Commission Green Paper on mental health is a ‘sign of progress or confusion’. It is a manifest sign of political progress and as such has been welcomed by the College (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2006).

We must remember that the purpose of the Green Paper was to begin consultation for a future strategy. It is premature to expect ‘achievable priorities and specific ideas’, and off-the-peg solutions will not suit all member states. As first steps, a platform for exchanging expertise, greater coherence between information, research and policy, inclusion of mental health in the framework programme for research funding, and a more uniform approach to human rights seem to be realistic and valuable.

We must also understand the scope of responsibility of the European Commission, which includes health promotion, prevention and provision of information but not healthcare services. Hence the use of the broad World Health Organization terminology for ‘mental ill health’, and the emphasis upon a wide range of problems, many of which should not be considered as illnesses. Promotion of mental well-being necessitates collaboration between policy makers from health, economics, housing, immigration, criminal justice, employment and other departments. The aspiration is indeed to further the debate within political and commissioning circles – not to treat people who are not ill.

Priebe’s reservations seem to result from confusion between the case for widespread promotion and prevention, and the specialised need for good treatment for those with established conditions. No problem!

References

ROYAL COLLEGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS (2006) College Response to the European Commission Green Paper on Mental Health. http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/pressparliament/collegeresponses/parliament/responses/collegeresponsemay06.aspx

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