Brussels, 13/05/2003 (Agence Europe) - A panel of experts involved in research and treatment of mental illness, meeting on 7 May at the European Parliament on the initiative of Antonios Trakatellis (New Democracy, Greece) attempted to provide some indications for defining measures that could be taken at a European level for improving treatment of these illnesses in Europe and putting more emphasis on a patient centred approach. Mr Trakatellis proposed integration of the main results of this meeting in the conclusions of the Greek Presidency on mental health in Europe, which should be adopted at the Health Council on 2-3 June. The conference on the theme "Mental Health and Schizophrenia: Open Minds, Open Doors?" is also expected to enable the setting up of a new dynamic partnership between scientific and professional actors and family associations at the launch of the 6th research framework programme. British Liberal, John Bowis (EPP-ED), indicated on this occasion that the fundamental research element in future actions regarding mental health in Europe, should be given greater loan facilities. Giuseppe Nistico (EPP-ED, Italy) highlighted the need to pursue research in the medicines sector in an effort to reduce secondary effects on patients to a minimum. Robert Kerwin, a British academic highlighted the fact that Europe was behind the USA (but also Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore) in regard to medicines. He also underlined that negative physical effects were in addition to feelings of shame and the difficulties already experienced by mental illness sufferers.
Presenting the Eurobarometer results that will be out next June on "Mental Health and the European Population", Dr Sami Pirkola from Finland indicated that a quarter of Europeans suffered from mental problems (depression, schizophrenia, etc). Alarmed by this figure, Horst Kloppenburg, representing DG Health and Consumer Protection at the European Commission, explained that, "mental health shouldn't be seen in isolation as a specific health problem". He also criticised the fact that mental illnesses were too often seen as being shameful. Rodney Elgie, representative of the European Patients Forum, was aware of the need to raise consciousness on the subject and highlighted the "essential role of political leaders and the Commission, who should put more emphasis on information". He also added that medical schools had to play a role. World Health Organisation (WHO) representative, Shekar Saxena pointed out that General Practitioners did not have enough sufficient information available and there was a shortage of beds in psychiatric hospitals, "It's disgraceful situation at the dawn of the 21st century", he exclaimed. Making an ironic reference to the title of the conference, Mr Elgie regretfully pointed out that doors and minds were well and truly closed with regard to metal health, mainly due to "social exclusion". Professor Michel Bourin, Head of the research department into mental illness at the University of Nantes in France, called for standardisation when admitting patients at a European level, given that "in 8 out of 10 cases, the homeless were schizophrenics left to fend for themselves".
In collaboration with the EP, the Commission will be organising a conference into cerebral research in Europe, which will be attended by around 200 representatives from the scientific community. Themes to be tackled include: 1) areas for research into the brain; 2) positions and expectations of researchers; 3) improvements in existing European structures. According to Philippe Cupers from DG Research at the European Commission, the essential goal of this meeting would be to "support the setting up of a European research sector into the brain and the exploration of how the 6th framework programme can help attain this objective". The Greek Presidency is currently preparing the draft conclusions on mental health, which will be submitted to the Council on 2 June.