Promoting Social Inclusion of People with Mental Health Problems: A Challenge for the European Union (2000-2001)

The project's aim was to raise awareness about the exclusion of people with mental health problems, and to provide guidelines to policy makers and service providers to foster social inclusion of these people.

Objectives

• To identify indicators of social exclusion;
• To identify practices which combat social exclusion and promote inclusion in society;
• To prepare guidelines and a handbook to support the social inclusion of people with mental health problems.

Activities and outcomes

Activities

The focus of the social inclusion project was, namely in: housing, employment, training and social benefit, daily living and media. The sector of media was added to the other three since the media more often portrays negative images and reinforces stigmas and fears.

Each country took responsibility for exploring one sector. Reference groups were set up in each country. Those groups were composed of people who have an expertise in the issue of social exclusion of people with mental health problems together with a majority of users, ex-users or their representatives.

Outcomes

Guidelines for policy makers and service providers.

Funded by

European Commission, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities - Programme for Preparatory Actions to Combat and Prevent Social Exclusion