Second Quarter 2002 Newsletter

(Last Updated On: )

Europe

Mental Health Europe has participated in a study on Disability and Social Exclusion in the European Union time for change, tools for change. Seven organizations worked together to collect information on the causes of social exclusion among disabled people, covering such matters as extra costs of disability, lack of access to a social environment, unemployment, and the lack of specialized services. MHE contributed information on specific difficulties faced by people with mental health problems. The research was carried out in 2001 and an evaluation meeting to close the project was held on 1-2 March 2002. The final report is now available. Contact the MHE Secretariat at [email protected], or fax: 32 2 280 1604.

Western Pacific
Taiwan
Board member Chueh Chang, president of the Mental Health Association in Taiwan, has started a weekly hour-long educational radio program on mental health topics which is heard throughout the island. She examines a different issue over four programs each month. The first three programs examine the topic from the viewpoint of public perception, followed by contributions from people who have experienced the problem and their families, and then from teams of professionals working in mental health. The fourth program invites the public to call in for an open discussion.

The Mental Health Association held a policy conference organized by Dr. Chang in conjunction with its annual meeting in April. More than 200 consumers, family members, physicians and other professionals attended a program on improving government policies which affect people with mental illnesses. Afterwards they divided into discussion groups to consider national health insurance; the financing, quality and evaluation of services; legislation; and the reduction of discrimination and stigma.