EPA-1459 – Human rights based psychosocial rehabilitation in local communities supports people with mental disorders to social inclusion - is the clubhouse model a solution for Europe?

Abstract

World Health Assembly adopted in May 2013 the Comprehensive MH Action Plan 2013–2020. At the end of 2012 WHO published QualityRights Tool Kit for mental health field; at same time a European Expert Group published European Guidelines on the Transition from Institutional to Community Care. In 2010 WHO, ILO and UNESCO published the joint community-based CBR-guidelines which cover psychosocial rehabilitation. In 2007 WHO launched recommendation for Pyramid Framework to support MH policy change. These recommendations are built upon the UN Convention on Rights of People with Disabilities (UN 2006), it includes people with mental disorders, too. To present the findings of a MH policy analysis of the above-mentioned and about 25 earlier MH policy recommendations approved by Inter- Governmental Organisations since 1990. Common denominators are shared with participants, and compared with the reality in Europe. Main message is a search for community-based, more comprehensive, human rights based rehabilitation services, coordinated across organisational boundaries. Some examples are described. (1) Presentation of the Bavarian experiences about CBR-based Clubhouse model, originally Fountain House model since 1948, disseminated since 1980s in Europe. In 2013 there are about 90 Clubhouses serving their members in 22 European countries. (2) Presentation of research findings which prove the Clubhouse model is an evidence-based rehabilitation practice. Content analysis of about 30 international MH policy recommendations since 1990s and comparative analysis of some community-based rehabilitation approaches. Summarising main research findings in different countries in Europe and worldwide. Clubhouse model is fitting in with the MH policy recommendations and should be used more widely in Europe.