La fuerza de una democracia puede ser juzgada por el peso que se coloca en la igualdad, la solidaridad y los derechos humanos en el proceso político. Sin embargo, si juzgásemos a los Estados miembros de la Unión Europea (UE) en función de cómo las personas más pobres y más vulnerables están pasando la crisis financiera, los resultados serían decepcionantes en el mejor de los casos.
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The strength of a democracy can be judged by how much weight is placed on equality, solidarity and human rights in the policy process. Still, if we were to judge European Union (EU) Member States based on how the poorest and most vulnerable people are faring, especially during the financial crisis, the results would be disappointing at best.
Therefore, on the World Day of Social Justice, Mental Health Europe (MHE) is calling on the EU Institutions and national governments to seriously engage with the European Platform Against Poverty (EPAP) – a flagship of the EUROPE 2020 strategy. Urgent and decisive action is required to aid the 23% of EU citizens who at risk of poverty, of which 8% suffer from severe material deprivation. In times of economic downturn and austerity, short term economic goals must not over-shadow the importance to build and safeguard inclusive societies. Otherwise Member States of the European Union will forsake Europe’s biggest asset – its human capital.
However, due to lack of knowledge, discrimination and stigma, the employment gap between people with mental health problems and average EU citizens is 10-15% in the case of mild or moderate mental health problems, and 30% for people who experience severe symptoms. Moreover, when (ex-) users of mental health services find employment, their average income is 10-40% lower than that of regular citizens, placing the former at a much higher risk of poverty.
Therefore, MHE urges national governments and the European Union to ensure that the EPAP plays a strong role in safeguarding and delivering on the goal of lifting at least 20 million people from poverty by 2020. This goal must be seen as equally important to the strategies’ other objectives. Furthermore, member states should not disregard the social inclusion of the most vulnerable groups in striving to reach the level of 75% employment by 2020.
MHE also appeals to the EU Institutions to ensure that the new funding regulations for the 2014-2020 period are shaped in such a way as to reflect the poverty reduction goal and promote the European social model. MHE welcomes the introduction of earmarking 20% of the European Social Fund to combat poverty and promote social inclusion, and asks the Council and the European Parliament to retain it in the final regulation.
Authorities at the EU, national and local levels should work with employers to combat prejudice and stigma related to people with mental health problems, and to allow people with mental health problems to access employment, should they wish to do so. Support to employers to ensure that reasonable accommodation and equal treatment at work are provided needs to be an integral part of any employment strategy.
“People with mental health problems should be offered support and guidance, tailored to their individual needs. The goal is always to increase the quality of living, and employment plays a big role in living a fulfilled, autonomous life,” said Nace Kovac, MHE President. “There is no one-size-fits-all approach,” he added.