Doc. 9708

13 February 2003

Strengthening the response to mental health needs in Europe

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mrs Ragnarsdóttir and others

1.       Mental health is one of a society’s most valuable capitals which no country can afford to ignore. There is growing evidence that mental ill health places a heavy burden on communities and individuals alike, leading to increased costs, sickness absences, labour turn-over, loss of productivity, social exclusion, violence, substance dependence, accidents and injuries. It causes enormous human suffering for those who are directly affected and their families, especially children.

2.       Yet mental health and mental illness are still given low priority. Many European member states spend less than 3 % of their health budgets on mental health care, although mental ill health in its different expressions can easily account for one third to one half of all health care costs.

3.       Improving mental health and reducing mental illness will improve quality of life, public health and productivity. The need for mental health promotion is complementary to the need for prevention and treatment of mental illness. All must be strengthened considerably in the light of new research and scientific information, programme experience and needs of populations, especially the most vulnerable groups.

4.       Therefore, the Parliamentary Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers:

i. launch a project designed to strengthen the mental health response in European countries in co-operation with the World Health Organisation;

ii. urge the member states:

      - to take action to maintain mental health high on the political and societal agenda;

      - to undertake actions with a view to improving mental health promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation;

      - to initiate campaigns to reduce stigmatization and human rights violations of people with mental illness and their families.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed : ¹

Ragnarsdóttir, Iceland, EDG

Bargholtz, Sweden, LDR

Baška, Slovakia, SOC

Brînzan, Romania, SOC

Çavuşoğlu Y., Turkey, LDR

Donabauer, Austria, EPP

Evin, France, SOC

Gündüz I., Turkey, EPP

Hancock, United Kingdom, SOC

Hladiy, Ukraine, EDG

Pysarenko, Ukraine, SOC

Truu, Estonia, EDG

Vermot-Mangold, Switzerland, SOC

Zapfl-Helbling, Switzerland, EPP

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group