The development and results of the European Mental Health Integration Index (2014)
| Pages | 205-210 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMH-07-2015-0030 |
| Published date | 21 December 2015 |
| Date | 21 December 2015 |
| Author | Peter John Huxley |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Public mental health |
The development and results of the
European Mental Health Integration
Index (2014)
Peter John Huxley
Peter John Huxley is Professor
of Mental Health Research at
the Centre for Mental Health
and Society, Bangor University,
Bangor, UK.
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to report on the development and results of the Mental Health
Inclusion Index.
Design/methodology/approach –Data gathering and interviews with key policy makers in 30 countries
in Europe (the EU28 plus Switzerland and Norway). Data gathered enabled the production of an 18 indicator
benchmarking index ranking the 30 countries based on their commitment to integrating people with
mental illness.
Findings –The main findings were: mental illness exacts a substantialhuman and economic toll on Europe,
and there is a substantial treatment gap, especially for people with common mental health problems.
Germany’s generous social provision and strong healthcare system put it number one in the Mental Health
Integration Index. The UK and Scandinavian states come next. The lowest-scoring countries in the index are
from Europe’s south-east, where there is a long history of neglect of mental illness and poorly developed
community services. One needs to understand that the leading countries are not the only ones providing
examples of best practice in integrating those with mental illness. Employment is the field of greatest concern
for people with mental illness, but employment is also the area with the most inconsistent policies across
Europe. A distinction can be made between countries whose policies are aspirational and those where
implantation is support by substantial and most importantly sustained, resource investment. Europe as a
whole is only in the early stages of the journey from institution- to community-based care. Lack of data makes
greater understanding of this field difficult, and improvement can only be demonstrated by repeated surveys
of this kind, based on more substantial, comprehensive and coherent information.
Research limitations/implications –Usual caveats about the use of surveys. Missing data due to
non-response and poverty of mental health inclusion data in many European countries.
Practical implications –The author reflects on the findings and considers areas for future action. The main
implications are: better services result from substantial, but most importantly, sustained investment; and that
employment is most important to people with mental health problems, but is one of the most inconsistent
policy areas across Europe.
Social implications –Supports the need for consistent investment in community mental health services
and more consistent employment policies in Europe.
Originality/value –This survey is the first of its kind in Europe, and was conducted by the Economist
Intelligence Unit in London, and sponsored by Janssen.
Keywords Europe, Mental health policy, Social inclusion, Employment, Investment, Treatment gap
Paper type Viewpoint
Introduction
While the concept of social inclusion (SI) is a contested one, for the purposes of the present
paper we accept the World Bank (2007) definition. “Social Inclusion (SI) refers to promoting equal
Received 15 July 2015
Revised 14 September 2015
Accepted 15 October 2015
This paper is by one of five expert
advisors to the development of the
Mental Health Integration Index
(MHII) (2014) a recent Europe-wide
survey on social integration and
mental health, and the policies and
provisions for supporting people in
the community. The MHII provides
facts on integration in order to
inform mental health service policy
development. This paper is based
on research conducted by the
Economist Intelligence Unit and
sponsored by Janssen and
supported by GAMAIN Europe.
DOI 10.1108/JPMH-07-2015-0030 VOL. 14 NO. 4 2015, pp. 205-210, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 1746-5729
j
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC MENTALHEALTH
j
PAG E 20 5
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