Briefing for Members of the European Parliament- November 2000
NSF (SCOTLAND) is a Scottish charity providing support and direct services with a particular
emphasis on those suffering from schizophrenia.
The care of those with schizophrenia and severe mental illness is a European issue because
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it is a public health issue, affecting 1 in 100 of the general population mainly by the age of 45
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those with mental illness and their carers become excluded from social and economic activity.
Sharing knowledge
Families in Austria, Ireland, Scotland, Spain and the Netherlands are sharing information about their
experience when confronted with a relative's first episode of psychosis. With increasing emphasis on
providing evidence-based best care, we believe that involvement in such studies will give us the
knowledge to establish European-wide improvements in care for those with severe mental illness
(such as schizophrenia) and their carers.
The research will be completed this year and will be submitted to a scientific journal in due course. A
study in the Netherlands several years ago indicated that families' first wish was for support for the
psychotic person and his or her family.
Stigma and discrimination
Fighting the stigma of mental illness is a priority for the family organisations in Europe.
Discrimination leads to poorer employment prospects, to lack of access to social care and to
exclusion from many of the benefits enjoyed by citizens of the European Union. NSF(Scotland) is
participating in the European Anti-Stigma programme which is being developed by EUFAMI and its
26 member organisations.
We will also be supporting the World Health Organisation's Health Day on 7 April 2001. For the
first time this annual day will be on a mental health theme of "more care, less exclusion" and we look
to the European Parliament to support this campaign any way it can.
Disability or Recovery?
The term "recovery" is being used increasingly to describe what we want from medical and social
care and from empowering all those affected by mental illness. To quote from the Alaska Mental
Health Consumer Web: a person who has "mental illness wants more than a zombie existence. If the
consumer is allowed to participate in medication decision-making, a medication regime that really
helps from the consumer's perspective is much more likely to be achieved." This also applies in being
given power in decisions on social care.
With modern medicines, it is becoming increasingly possible for people who have had a severe
psychosis to recover sufficiently to resume a relatively settled life in the community. However the
stigma remains and the lack of an obvious physical disability makes it difficult for us to feel entirely
comfortable linked to the "Disability" groups recognised in the European parliamentary forums.
Yet we know that the people we work for, need extra help to get back into social life and work
again. We welcome the continuing support that is given through the European Social Fund to such
disadvantaged groups and we hope that this vital support will continue to help those in most need.
Understanding severe mental illness
Listen to the words of those who have the experience. We have recently helped a "Voices" group to
publish their description of what it is like. A copy of this short booklet is enclosed. - We do hope
you will read it to help you to understand the impact the illness has on individuals.
We can put you in touch with our projects round the country where you can meet the real experts –
those with direct experience of the illness and their carers.
We can also provide information on the
research into best practice, care and coping being undertaken by the European organisation
(EUFAMI).
The NATIONAL SCHIZOPHRENIA FELLOWSHIP (SCOTLAND) is a member-led organisation which
works to improve the wellbeing and quality of life of those affected by schizophrenia and
other mental illnesses, including families and carers.
We represent the interests of our
500+ members, and our service users, and promote meaningful involvement and
empowerment of service users and carers in all support services.
NSF (SCOTLAND)
provides community based services to carers and service users, provides
information/education and promotes greater public understanding of schizophrenia.
Contact:
For general information: Ian Harper, Information Officer
To be put in touch with our projects: Paddy Carstairs, Operations manager
For information on EUFAMI: Susan Kirkwood, Chairman
Address:
NSF(SCOTLAND) Claremont House 130 East Claremont Street Edinburgh EH7 4LB
Email: [email protected]
Web site: www.nsfscot.org.uk
Phone: 0131 557 8969
Fax: 0131 557 8968
