People have the right to participate in decisions and processes that directly impact them. There is a growing demand for the systematic protection of this right for people with lived experience of mental health challenges.
Unfortunately, people with lived experience have had limited opportunities to participate in and contribute to the development of policies and services that meet their needs. Even when they are involved, their contributions are often relegated to acknowledgments – they are rarely recognized as co-authors. This denies them the chance to take ownership of these critical policies and services that have a direct and significant impact on people’s mental health and well-being.
Inclusive processes for better policies
Mental Health Europe defines co-creation in mental health as “a collaborative approach involving all actors in mental health working together on an equal basis to develop and implement policies, services, programmes, and communication that foster positive mental health according to a psychosocial model and human rights-based approach”.
Promoting co-creation as the standard practice holds significant benefits. For people with lived experience, co-creation reduces stigma and discrimination related to mental health challenges. It also fosters self-efficacy and self-esteem, while enhancing mental health literacy. Importantly, co-creation ensures that real needs are thoroughly considered and taken into account.
Simultaneously, co-creation contributes to more effective and accessible mental health systems by:
• enabling more effective forms of support for people experiencing mental ill health; and
• expanding the availability and value of interventions aimed at preventing mental health conditions and promoting well-being.
But how is it done? How can you contribute?
This European Public Health Week (EUPHW), which coincides with European Mental Health Week (EMHW), WHO/Europe and Mental Health Europe are hosting a webinar exploring these questions. Over 1.5 hours, people with lived experience, public health professionals and experts will examine co-creation from the ground up, asking what it takes to start the process and, more importantly, how to keep it going.
Join us on 14 May at 10:00–11:30 CEST. You can register via the link.
About European Public Health Week
EUPHW, started in 2019 by the European Public Health Association, is an opportunity to promote awareness of public health issues and promote collaboration among the public health community in Europe. WHO has been a key partner of EUPHW since its inception.
The 2024 theme for EUPHW is “Health is a political choice!” It aims to highlight the importance of political action in driving sustainable and positive change in health. Each day has a subtheme to address different areas of public health:
• Monday, 13 May: Health is a political choice: Starting the discussion
• Tuesday, 14 May: Mental health: People at the centre
• Wednesday, 15 May: Planetary health: A “glocal” approach
• Thursday, 16 May: Health through the life course: Breaking down silos
• Friday, 17 May: Next generation: Public health of today and tomorrow.
About European Mental Health Week
EMHW is a European Union-wide initiative to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and bring about positive change. Set up and run by Mental Health Europe, Europe’s largest independent mental health nongovernmental organization, the fifth edition of EMHW will take place on 13–19 May 2024 under the theme “Better together: co-creating the future of mental health”.
This week-long action is a chance for everyone to discuss all aspects of mental health – to share, learn, educate and demonstrate commitment to positive change.
Get involved!
Co-creation begins with action! If you believe in the importance of raising awareness of co-creation, mental health, or any of the other themes of EUPHW or EMHW 2024, consider joining the conversation.
• Hold an event in your local community, such as a workshop, exhibition or fair.
• Make noise on social media networks.
• Create videos, podcasts or other multimedia content about the themes of the week.
• Publish news, blog posts or other content about your work, events in your area or mental health issues in general.
If you want to promote your event, you can register it with the European Public Health Association or Mental Health Europe.