EPA Leaders on the Move

Brussels, 22 June 2017 — The Value of Treatment EPA Working Group on Schizophrenia

EPA attends meeting of Governmental Expert group for mental health

On 8 June, EPA participated in the meeting of the Governmental Expert group for mental health in Luxembourg to exchange views and stimulate strategic discussions between the European Commission (DG Sante), Governmental Experts, WHO and relevant NGOs around mental health issues. EPA President Prof. Silvana Galderisi represented the association, while Prof. Tamas Kurimay, Chair of the EPA Council of National Psychiatric Associations (NPAs) also attended in his capacity as National Expert for Hungary.

The main topics discussed focused on the latest policy developments in the field of mental health and the main areas for action. In particular, Mental Health Europe and EUFAMI presented the Joint Statement on mental health, supported by 20 signatory organisations and open for further support. Other issues addressed covered recent WHO initiatives around depression and mental health at work, as well as an update on the Commission’s activities in the field of e-health.

Visit the European Commission website for more information on the Commission’s policies on mental health.

 

EPA participates in the 2nd EU Compass Forum on Mental Health

Continuing EPA representation in Luxembourg, on 8 and 9 June 2017, Prof. Galderisi also attended the second Annual EU Compass Forum on Mental Health and Well-being. The purpose of the Forum was to discuss the progress of the implementation of policy recommendations of the Joint Action European Framework for Action on Mental Health and Well-being.

Key stakeholders who participated in the Forum included policy makers and Member State representatives, NGOs, as well as mental health care providers, professionals, and service users.

The focus of this year’s Forum was Mental Health at Work, Mental Health at Schools, and Prevention of Suicide. An EU Compass scientific paper on the theme of mental health at work was presented and both days included interactive break-out sessions to discuss the key topics. Moreover, the results of the annual EU Compass surveys regarding the activities of member States and stakeholders in mental health were presented.

More information, including a summary report of the event, is available on the European Commission website.

Follow the links for video recordings of the event:
Day 1 (8 June 2017)
Day 2 (9 June 2017)

 

Final Conference on the Value of Treatment for Brain Disorders research project

The final Conference on the EBC Value of Treatment for Brain Disorders (VoT) research project took place on 22 June in Brussels. The event, hosted under the auspices of the Maltese EU Presidency, addressed the issue of the burden of diseases in the current health care system and proposed evidence-based and cost-effective solutions to achieve high value for patients.

On this occasion, EPA Past President Prof. Wolfgang Gaebel presented key results of the EPA-led Working Group on Schizophrenia, which include EPA experts as well as other key stakeholders interested in the field of schizophrenia (LSE, ECNP, GAMIAN, EUFAMI) and industry partners.

A Policy White Paper presenting the VoT research conclusions and key policy recommendations was officially launched.  The Paper highlights the need for more investment into research on neurological and mental diseases and the wide disparities between and within countries relating to treatments, detection and intervention. The EU spends just over €3 a year per patient on research into brain disorder, while levels of access to treatment in many Member States are becoming worse. Timely intervention brings measurable health gains such as improved survival rates, reduced complications and disability, better quality of life and lower treatment costs. In the field of schizophrenia in particular, the provision of early detection and early intervention programmes is of great importance for an effective management of the illness.

More information on the VoT project and its results is available on the EBC website.