News Release, 18 January 2005
Dr Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation today described the UK's signing of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Mental Health Declaration for Europe as "a clear signal from Government that the way we perceive mental health across the UK must change for the better."
Health Minister Rosie Winterton, attended the WHO Ministerial Conference on Mental Health from 12-15 January in Helsinki, accompanied by Dr McCulloch and Rhona Brankin, MSP Minister for Health and Community Care, Scottish Executive Health Department.
At the conference, Member States in the WHO European region signed a declaration on mental health which emphasised the importance of mental well-being. Priorities for the next decade identified in the declaration include fostering awareness of mental wellbeing; tackling stigma, discrimination and social exclusion; the prevention of mental health problems; and inclusion in society of those who have experienced serious mental health problems.
Speaking on his return from the Helsinki Conference, Dr McCulloch said:
"When we think about mental health as a society, we tend to focus on mental illness. Too often, the very subject perpetuates fear, stigma, denial and reactive public policy. As a result, we continue to let opportunities for improving our mental health be missed. The UK Government, in signing this declaration, is recognising the need for a new era of strategic thinking on mental health."
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