title: The emerging mental health strategy of the European Union: a multi-level work-in-progress.
abstract: Policy-making in the European Union (EU) is a complex process that can appear impenetrable and opaque. This paper examines the ongoing process of mental health policy-making in the EU. In 2005, the Health and Consumer Protectorate Director-General of the European Commission published a Green Paper and launched a consultation process aimed at mental health service-users, advocates, providers, business, social services and governments. While there were varying levels of participation between member states, a range of trans-national, national and infra-national actors made contributions. Based on these consultations, a 'Consultative Platform' was created and made 10 recommendations centered on the principles of partnership; establishing policy competencies; integrating mental health into national policies; involving stakeholders; and protecting human rights. This ongoing process illustrates many features of EU policy-making: (a) the European Commission generates an initiative; (b) policy focuses on EU standardization, with member states remaining central actors in service-delivery; (c) policy focuses on social inclusion; (d) the European Commission coordinates diverse networks of actors; and (e) there is 'multi-level' involvement, with direct interaction between trans-national, national and infra-national actors. An enhanced focus on epidemiological data and 'evidence-based policy' would increase rigor and focus further attention on this relatively neglected policy area.
authors.affiliation: Department of Adult Psychiatry, University College Dublin, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, 62/63 Eccles Street, Dublin 7, Ireland. brendankelly35@gmail.com
authors.forename: Brendan D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D005060:Europe; D005062:European Union / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006291:Health Policy / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017146:Models, Organizational; D011050:Policy Making; D011057:Politics; D012945:Social Values