On 30 October the European Economic and Social Committee will organise a public hearing on a own-initiative opinion on the European year of Mental Health – better work, better quality of life. The opinion will focus on the importance of safeguarding health at work, in the context of the EU Strategy on health and safety at work. As the current strategy is coming to an end in 2012, the European Economic and Social Committee argues it is important that aspects of mental health be included in the new strategy.

The opinion also aims to contribute to reviewing the EU mental health strategy, emphasizing awareness-raising, the anti-stigma policy, and pursuing an inclusive, cross-cutting approach. Another aim is to contribute towards the achievement of the Europe 2020 objectives. In this case this means inclusive growth and combating social exclusion, which demands an inclusive policy for those suffering from mental illness. Another important issue is the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which is both on the EU’s and on the Member States’ agendas.

The public hearing in conjunction with the EESC’s work on this opinion will be held in the morning of 30 October 2012 (9 a.m.-1 p.m.) at the EESC building, Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 99, B-1040 Brussels.

The conclusions of the hearing will feed directly into the work of the study group which will hold its second meeting in the afternoon of the same day.

For more information and to register, please visit the on-line through the conference website.