European experts see historic opportunity for people in institutions
2014 02 06

Transition from institutional to community-based care European Expert Group (EEG) has issued a statement welcoming the recent agreements reached on the use of EU Structural Funds in 2014-2020.
Last December the European Council and the European Parliament approved the new EU cohesion policy investment regulations. For the first time they specifically indicate support for the transition from institutional to community-based care. EEG believes that this is a historic turning point, especially given the fact that the European Commission recently approved the Code of Conduct on the Partnership Principled for using European Union Structural and Investment Funds. This is a legally binding document which ensures that EU member states will plan and implement structural fund investments in close cooperation with civil society and other stakeholders.

In the statement EEG calls European Commission:

• to provide recommendations for the EU member states, in order to give priority to the transition from institutional to community-based care;

• to ensure that all EU member states are legally obliged to move from institutional to community-based care;

• to ensure that implementation of these commitments are effectively monitored at national and European Commission levels.

NGO Mental Health Perspectives participates in EEG activities through membership in Mental Health Europe organization and supports the indictated statement. Full statement text available here.

 

Experts oppose Mental Health Strategy and Suicide Prevention Action Plan

^{Public statement}

2014 01 21

Mental health and human rights experts who are included theW group formed by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania are critical towards and oppose the prepared Mental Health Strategy and Suicide Prevention Action Plan.

Experts welcome Health Minister’s Mr. Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis political will to solve mental health and suicide problems, but at the same time points out that those initiatives get stuck in the implementation phase.

At the Working group the experts were promoting implementation of contemporary mental health policy and suicide prevention principles, which are clearly stated in the World Health Organization and the European Union documents, as well as Lithuanian Mental Health Strategy approved by the Lithuanian Parliament in 2007.

Experts indicate that all measures, including public education on mental health, a wide range of preventive and clinical interventions, and comprehensive monitoring must comply with those principles. Unfortunately, the strategic plan prepared by the Ministry lacks consistency. It can be described as a list of poorly related measures the effectiveness of which is difficult to assess.

 

 

NGO Mental Health Perspectives raises wings of change

2013 12 04

Aiming to contribute to the development of the civil society and to anchoring of the social justice in Lithuania through initiation of reforms in the fields of the mental health and child’s rights, NGO "Mental health perspective starts the project "Wings of Change". Project is funded by EEA Grants thought NVO Programme.

Project “Wings of Change” was initiated for several reasons. Foremost among these is the fact that Lithuanian mental health and social security policy is based on an outdated institutional models, and community-based services are not developed, as well as there is no effective human rights monitoring mechanism in place. In addition, the NGOs working in this field do not have sufficient advocacy resources and skills to be able to considerably influence political decisions, which up to date are mainly directed to the maintenance of the existing system.

The project will seek substantial systemic changes, as well it will aim to initiate public discourse and political decision-making process in representation of people with mental disorders and their family members. An important task - to strengthen the capacities of the newly created Mental Health and Human Rights Initiative Groups and other NGOs working in the field of mental health and human rights.

It is expected that Mental Health Strategy Action Plan prepared during the project implementation will be reflected in Lithuanian legislation; deinstitutionalisation process monitoring and submitted proposals will result in decisions which are transparent, open and compatible with the needs and the rights of the target groups; as well as persons with mental disabilities right to fair trial will be ensured at all levels.