Memorandum by UK Mental Health Research
Network
Please find below the UK MHRN response to this
consultation. To answer your specific questions in turn:
1. How relevant is mental health for the
EU's strategic policy objectives?
UK MHRN considers mental health vital to EU's
strategic policy objectives. Mental health problems are a leading
cause of illness and disability, well highlighted by WHO. Recent
information from the Department of Work & Pensions acknowledges
the burden of mental health disorders on sick leave and productivity.
In the UK for example, 80 million days are lost every year due
to mental illness costing employers £1-2 billion each year
(www.mentalhealth.org.uk//ffcost.htm).
2. Would an EU Mental Health Strategy add
value, and does the Green Paper identify the right priorities?
Yes, an EU mental health strategy would add
value and does identify the right priorities. There is a need
for exchange and co-operation between key stakeholders including
the involvement of service users and carers and coherence of actions
in different policy sectors and the promotion of a stronger evidence
base that can truly inform policy. UK MHRN would support the promotion
of all mental health research of high quality which has implications
for prevention, services and treatments.
Now is an opportune moment for an EU mental
health strategy able to capitalise on and benefit from current
activities such as those created by UK MHRN which provides the
infrastructure to support large scale, generalisable and clinically
relevant high impact research externally funded through sources
including the EU Framework Programmes.
3. Are the initiatives that the Paper proposes
appropriate and sufficient?
Yes, the initiatives are appropriate and sufficient.
UK MHRN would like to emphasise the importance of Service User
centred and valued services.
4. How might an EU Mental Health Strategy
support the implementation of current Government priorities (including
the Mental Health National Service Framework)?
To support the implementation of current Government
priorities an EU mental health strategy should support research
in:
(3) Cultural issues in Mental Health.
(4) Interventions to support return to work
would feed into the wealth of the nation.
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