2016 Policy Event

With the aim of fostering better dialogue among key experts in the field of health and social care, the European Psychiatric Association successfully hosted its first Policy Event in Brussels, “From policies to practice – from practice to policies: Creating synergies for better health in Europe”.

Through this event, which took place on Friday, 9 December 2016 at the University Foundation in Brussels, where the EPA office is based,  particular attention was given to two relevant EU policy issues: integrated health care and mental health in the workplace.

In addition to EPA leaders, high-level representatives from European Institutions, (mental) health professionals, academics, patients and civil society gathered together to discuss relevant EU policy developments in these areas and exchange on possible solutions for better health and health care in Europe.

The policy event, chaired by Wolfgang Gaebel (EPA President 2015-2017), Manuel Martín Carrasco (Chair of the EPA Council of National Psychiatric Societies/Associations) and Silvana Galderisi (EPA President 2017-2019), opened with presentations addressing integrated health care and chronic diseases:

• “The EU Action on Chronic Diseases and the place of mental health” (Martin Seychell, Deputy Director General, European Commission, DG Health and Food Safety)
• “Patient empowerment in chronic disease management” (Hilkka Kärkkäinen, President, GAMIAN-Europe) (slides)
• “Integrated care: Towards better health for all” (Wolfgang Gaebel, EPA President)
• “Closing the treatment gap in brain diseases” (Patrice Boyer, Vice President, European Brain Council) (slides)

And followed with:

• “Promoting health, preventing disease. The economic case” (David McDaid, Research Fellow in Health Policy and Health Economics, London School of Economics and WHO-European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies) (slides)
• “Mental Health in the EU-Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work” (Jorge M. Costa-David, Policy Officer, Unit Health, Safety and Hygiene at Work, European Commission, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion) (slides)

Consult the event press release and the event report for more details.

Click here to see the photo gallery of the event on our Facebook Page.

EPA Policy Event Agenda 2016

Part 1
Investing in integrated health care for an inclusive and sustainable growth in Europe
Chair: Wolfgang Gaebel, EPA President
Co-chair: Manuel Martín Carrasco, Chair of the EPA Council of National Psychiatric Societies/Associations (NPAs)

Part 2
Strengthening inter-sectoral, multi-level collaboration for better mental health at work
Chair: Silvana Galderisi, EPA President Elect