WHO/Europe is set to host a workshop in Brussels, Belgium, on May 22-23, 2024, in collaboration with the pan-European Mental Health Coalition and the European Union’s Joint Action on Implementation of Best Practices in Mental Health (JA ImpleMENTAL). This event aims to drive forward the enhancement of leadership and services in mental health.
Bringing together a diverse array of stakeholders, including country delegates, organizational representatives, and individuals with lived experience of mental health conditions, the workshop seeks to facilitate sustainable transformations in mental health services. The overarching goal is to make these services more accessible and inclusive across all stages of life.
The first day of the workshop will be dedicated to mental health leadership, with a focus on strategies to combat stigma and discrimination. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from advocates with lived experience and provide feedback on an upcoming WHO anti-stigma toolkit, developed in collaboration with King’s College London and members of the Global Mental Health Peer Network. Additionally, a new WHO leadership skill-building course, created in partnership with the Global Leadership Exchange, will be previewed.
On the second day, discussions will center on the transformation of mental health services, emphasizing the importance of service continuity across different age groups and the integration of mental health into primary health care. Financing these transformative efforts will be a key area of exploration, with participants delving into case studies on effective funding models.
This workshop serves as a platform for inspiring dialogue and knowledge exchange on mental health services and leadership within the WHO European Region.
The pan-European Mental Health Coalition, initiated by WHO/Europe in 2021, acts as a hub for knowledge and practice exchange among more than 300 stakeholders in mental health, including policy-makers, individuals with lived experience, and international and national organizations.
JA ImpleMENTAL, comprising 21 countries, aims to adapt and implement best practices in mental health. Key initiatives include Belgium’s transition to community-based mental health services and Austria’s national suicide prevention program.
