GAMIAN-Europe, a patient-driven pan-European organization, represents the interests
of persons affected by mental illness and advocates their right
GAMIAN Europe: European Parliament Interest Group on Mental Health, Well-being and Brain Disorders
European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium, 16 May 2018
Mental health, patient empowerment and self-management of care and treatment
The meeting was hosted by MEP Tomas Zdechovsky, who welcomed participants and underlined his interest in all issues related to mental health. In his introduction to the meeting, John Bowis, OBE, Former MP, Health Minister and MEP, stated that the concept of ‘empowerment’ sounds strong coming from a politician. Politicians can have power, but only with the consent of people who follow the laws and are participating in that power. Self-management is a more descriptive and more practical form of words. It is not an absolute concept as it refers to enabling people to self-manage their treatment and care to the extent of their ability and their wish.
The full meeting report can be found here.
The Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy Networks (GAMIAN-Europe) is happy to launch a comprehensive Call to Action addressing empowerment of persons affected by mental ill health and self-management of their care and treatment. This Call to Action highlights what can be done to empower patients and to engage them as partners in care. It underlines that patients should be seen as resource in this respect; and empowering patients will ensure the best possible ‘use’ of that resource, while putting patients at the heart of care provision.
