Explanatory memorandum on European Community
Document
GREEN PAPER: IMPROVING THE MENTAL HEALTH
OF THE POPULATION TOWARDS A STRATEGY ON MENTAL HEALTH FOR THE
EUROPEAN UNION
SUBMITTED
BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH ON
31 OCTOBER 2005
SUBJECT MATTER
The stated purpose of the green paper is to
launch a debate about "the relevance of mental health for
the EU, the need for a strategy at EU level, and its possible
priorities." The paper was adopted by the Commission on 14
October.
19 OCTOBER 2006
Key messages
The green paper's key messages are that:
— mental health is important for key
EU policy objectives—eg health, quality of life, economic
and social welfare;
— there are serious challenges—eg
mental ill-health leading to suicide or absenteeism, stigma and
discrimination; and
— there is a need for a stronger evidence
base for action.
The need for an EU strategy
The paper suggests that an EU-wide strategy
would add value by:
— creating a framework for exchange
and co-operation between member states;
— increasing the coherence of actions
in different policy sectors; and
— opening a new platform for involving
service users.
Priorities
The paper identifies three basic priorities,
and in each case some options for action based on good practice
identified through EU projects:
— promoting mental health and addressing
mental ill health through preventive action;
— promoting the social inclusion of
mentally ill or disabled people and protecting their fundamental
rights and dignity; and
— improving information and knowledge
on mental health in the EU.
Consultation
The consultation will happen in three main ways:
— by creating a dialogue on mental
health with member states;
— by launching an EU platform on mental
health (to promote consensus and co-operation across the various
sectors and stakeholders involved); and
— by developing an interface between
mental health policy and research (to overcome gaps in data and
ensure better-informed policy making).
The questions that the consultation will focus
on are:
— how relevant is mental health for
the EU's strategic policy objectives?
— would an EU mental health strategy
add value, and does the green paper identify the right priorities?
and
— are the initiatives that the paper
proposes appropriate and sufficient?
The results of the consultation process may
be developed into a Council Recommendation on the promotion of
mental health and another on the reduction of depression and suicidal
behaviour.
MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Secretary of State for Health has lead responsibility.
Ministers of the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly have
an interest relating to their responsibilities for health care
provision. Whilst the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive
are suspended the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has
these functions.
LEGAL AND
PROCEDURAL ISSUES
(i) Legal basis
Some of the proposals for action in the green
paper fall under Community competence in accordance with the provisions
of Article 152 of the EC Treaty. The paper recognises that other
proposals will be the exclusive competence of Member States.
(ii) European Parliament Procedure
None. This is a consultation document only.
(iii) Voting Procedure
None.
(iv) Impact on United Kingdom law
None.
(v) Application to Gibraltar
None.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This is a consultation document only. However,
the paper's main proposals and priorities are in line with current
UK policy: for example on combatting the social exclusion and
stigma associated with mental health, and reducing suicide rates.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
None.
TIMING
The consultation period was launched formally
on 24 October. The consultation period will run until the end
of May 2006. Depending on the outcome of the consultation, there
may be Council Recommendations and a Commission proposal for an
EU mental health strategy by the end of 2006.
Minister for Health Services,
Department of Health
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