Memorandum by Professor Norman Sartorius
I have previously given detailed comments on
the Green Paper and addressed one of the EU commissions on the
topic. I shall therefore restrict my comments to the points you
raised in your three questions.
1. Is it appropriate to formulate an EU strategy
on mental health?
The answer to this question is yes provided
that 1) the strategy is followed by the allocation of means for
its implementation; and 2) provisions are made for a review of
the strategy, at regular intervals involving all interested parties.
2. What elements should be contained in the
strategy?
The document deals mainly with the prevention
of mental disorders and of the promotion of mental health. It
would be important to add a section that will address those issues
arising in the treatment and care for people with mental illness
that are directly relevant to the prevention of mental disorders
and promotion of mental health. It is of course clear that the
development of guidelines for the provision of health care is
not a mandate of the Commission: nevertheless the omission of
their consideration weakens the document and the strategy. A mental
disorder such as depression may increase the risks for cardiovascular
and other physical illness as well as for dementia: similar examples
abound. It would also be useful to consider adding a part dealing
with learning disability and mental retardation to the document.
In this area there are numerous possibilities for action concerning
prevention of the disorder that would not only improve the quality
of life of people affected by it but also diminish risks for other
mental and physical illnesses.
3. Is there a need for a co-coordinated mental
health strategy for Europe
Yes. There are numerous issues that could be
handled better at national level if an overall consensus about
principles and a strategy for action in this field exists.
4. What would be the relationship between
the WHO mental health plan and the EU strategy?
There are significant differences between the
approaches of the EU and the WHO. The latter covers all countries
of Europe as well as some that are geographically and possibly
in other ways distant from the EU countries—eg the countries
in Central Asia, such as Tajikistan. It deals with all aspects
of mental health—treatment, prevention, promotion and the
management of psychosocial issues. The administrative and governance
structures are different from those of the EU.
Yet, a coherent strategy adopted by the EU might
be very helpful in the development of mental health programmes
not only for the European Region of the WHO but also for other
regions of the WHO.
I believe therefore that it is possible to make
the EU strategy and WHO plans complementary and mutually supportive.
| 
