How can we ensure better mental health
promotion and high quality of mental health care?
Invitation to a joint meeting on mental health to share experiences
between the Nordic and Baltic countries
19 September 2022 in Copenhagen
Introduction
The Danish Health Authority invites representatives from The Faroe Islands, Greenland,
Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia to join a meeting in Den-
mark about mental health.
Good mental health and well-being are essential for all of us to live fulfilling lives, to realize
our full potential, to participate in society, and to demonstrate resilience in the face of
stress and adversity. Therefore, mental health services are an essential component of
health care and universal health coverage as well as fundamental in achieving UN Sus-
tainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mental health is still one of the most neglected areas of health despite the fact that mental
disorders constitute a large and growing burden of disease and disability, and is one of the
most evident examples of health inequalities. The Nordic and Baltic countries face com-
mon challenges in advancing mental health care and struggle to increase sufficient polit-
ical and societal awareness in order to address these challenges with the necessary matter
of urgency.
One of the most comprehensive challenges is the ongoing stigmatization and discrimina-
tion of people with mental disorders causing human rights violations and severe economic,
social and cultural disadvantages along with poor access to sufficient health and social
care. Further, this constitutes a great obstacle in ensuring high quality mental health care
provided by well-trained and qualified staff as this specific health area is less prioritized
and considered less prestigious among health professionals.
The Nordic and Baltic countries should use the current momentum to act as frontrunners
in the advancement of mental health care and support research in mental health, contrib-
ute to extensive anti-stigmatization, ensure better mental health promotion, and build ca-
pacity and quality of mental health care. Especially among vulnerable children and ado-
lescent who across countries seem to be struggling more than ever with mental health
issues. This has been particularly evident in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In January 2022, the Danish Health Authority presented recommendations for a 10-year-
mental health action plan in Denmark. The recommendations seek to support a long-term
investment in mental health promotion and mental health care through 37 initiatives, which
are to be gradually implemented over the next decades with ongoing evaluation and doc-
umentation of effects.
Purpose
With this joint meeting, we wish to launch a collaboration that aims to contribute to better
mental health and an advancement of mental health services in the Nordic and Baltic
countries. The meeting seeks to establish a future network and platform to exchange
ideas, inspiration and experiences across the Nordic and Baltic countries in order to ex-
plore possible solutions to both existing and future challenges in relation to mental health.
Participants
Director Generals and senior staff members from national health authorities or ministries.
You are also welcome to appoint other technical experts from your country to participate
if relevant. Up to five representatives from each country are invited to participate.
Set up
One-day meeting on 19 September 2022 in Copenhagen with presentations, panel discus-
sions and dialogue to share experiences and decide on future measures and actions to
strengthen mental health efforts collectively. The meeting will be moderated by Director
General Dr. Søren Brostrøm and the participating countries will be invited to give presen-
tations about their national strategies, action plans and experiences on mental health and
mental health care (see tentative programme on the next page but please note that the pro-
gramme may be subject to changes).
Venue
The meeting will take place in Copenhagen at the WHO Regional Office for Europe at Mar-
morvej 51, 2100 KBH Ø, Denmark.
Registration
RSVP to Agnes Brunak (
[email protected]) from the Danish Health Authority no later than 1 July
2022 with information about the names and titles of the participants.
2
Programme (tentative)
09:00-09:15 Registration and coffee
09:15-10:15 Welcome by Dr. Søren Brostrøm, Danish Health Authority
Opening remarks by:
- Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe
- [Other presenters TBD]
Setting the stage: Presentation on mental health challenges in the Nordic and Baltic
countries, [presenter TBD]
10.15-11:15 Session 1: Strategies and action plans
Each presenter gives a short presentation of ongoing and/or future national comprehensive
strategies or action plans for mental health.
10:15-10:30 Presentation by Dr. Helene Probst, Danish Health Authority:
Recommendations for a 10-year mental health action plan in Denmark
10:30-10:45 Presentation from participating country [presenter TBD]
10:45-11.15 Roundtable discussion with participants from three countries followed by questions and
comments [participants TBD]
11.15-12.15 Lunch
12.15-13:15 Session 2: Anti-stigmatization initiatives
Each presenter gives a short presentation of anti-stigma initiatives
12.15-12.30 Presentation by a ONE OF US ambassador (Denmark) on the experiences working as a ONE
OF US ambassador
12.30-12:45 Presentation from participating country [presenter TBD]
12.45-13.15 Roundtable discussion with participants from three countries followed by questions and
comments [participants TBD]
13.15-13:30 Break
13:30-14.30 Session 3: Mental health and well-being among children and adolescents
Each presenter gives a short presentation of initiatives and programmes to promote mental
health and improve mental health care for children and adolescents
13:30-13:45 Presentation from participating country [presenter TBD]
13:45-14:00 Presentation from participating country [presenter TBD]
14:00-14:15 Presentation by Dr. Merete Nordentoft, Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen (Denmark) on
OPUS treatment
14:15-14:30 Questions and comments from participants
14:30-14:45 Break
14:45-15:45 Panel discussion moderated by Dr. Søren Brostrøm, Danish Health Authority
How can the Nordic and Baltic countries collectively:
- Contribute to better mental health and advancement of mental health strategies?
- Act as frontrunners to improve mental health in the European region?
- Other topics TBD
15:45-16:00 Closing remarks and thank you by Dr. Søren Brostrøm, Danish Health Authority
3
Saatja: Anniki Lai </O=JM/OU=EXCHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=C5CFE12A12F74B3F96F5204AF072B194-ANNIKI LAI>
Saaja: Agnes Brunak, SM Info,
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected], Kerdi Jaamu
Teema: RE: Updated Invitation and programme for the joint Nordic/Baltic meeting on mental health in Copenhagen on 19 september 2022
Dear Agnes,
Thank you for the invitation.
Hereby i am informing you that there will be 3 participants from Estonia participating the event.
Dr Heidi Alasepp, Deputy Secretary General on Health
Anniki Lai, Head of Department of Mental Health
Anne Randväli, Policy Advisor, Department of Mental Health.
Estonian representative could participate in the roundtable discussion of Session 1. I hope we can have a further discussion about the format of the roundtable and how to prepare for it.
Best regards
Anniki Lai
Anniki Lai
Head of Department
Department of Mental Health
Ministry of Social Affairs
Estonia
________________________________
[email protected]
Suur-Ameerika 1, 10122 Tallinn
www.sm.ee <http://www.sm.ee>
From: Agnes Brunak <
[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2022 6:21 PM
To: SM Info <
[email protected]>;
[email protected]
Cc: Anniki Lai <
[email protected]>;
[email protected];
[email protected]
Subject: Updated Invitation and programme for the joint Nordic/Baltic meeting on mental health in Copenhagen on 19 september 2022
Dear colleagues,
Please find attached an elaborated invitation with a tentative programme for the joint Nordic/Baltic meeting on mental health in Copenhagen on 19 September 2022.
We are looking forward to interesting presentations and discussions and we hope that you want to participate in the meeting. You are also welcome to forward this invitation to other colleagues in Estonia if relevant.
I kindly ask you to RSVP to me with a list of participants no later than 1 July 2022.
If you would like to give a presentation or take part in any of the roundtable discussions during the programme, you are also welcome to state this in your registration.
Should you have any questions or comments, do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards,
_____________________
Agnes Brunak
Head of Section
T (dir.) +45 2143 3872
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]>
Danish Health Authority
Director General’s Office
T +45 7222 7400
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]>
Learn more about how Danish Health Authority processes personal data here <https://sundhedsstyrelsen.dk/da/Om-os/Privatlivspolitik> .
Twitter <https://twitter.com/SSTSundhed> • LinkedIn <https://dk.linkedin.com/company/sundhedsstyrelsen/> • Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/sundhedsstyrelsenDK> • sst.dk <https://sundhedsstyrelsen.dk/da/>
Fra: Søren Brostrøm <
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]> >
Sendt: 16. juni 2022 14:05
Til:
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]> ;
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]>
Cc:
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]> ; Agnes Brunak <
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]> >;
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]> ;
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]>
Emne: Invitation to a joint Nordic/Baltic meeting on mental health in Copenhagen on 19 september 2022
Dear colleague,
We are pleased to invite you to a joint meeting between the Nordic and Baltic countries on mental health hosted by the Danish Health Authority.
The meeting will take place on 19 September 2022 at the WHO Regional Office for Europe at Marmorvej 51 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
We aim to bring together the Director Generals and senior staff members from national health authorities or ministries of health from the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia to launch a collaboration on improvement of mental health and mental health care in the Nordic and Baltic countries. You are also welcome to appoint other technical experts from your country to participate if relevant. Up to five representatives from each country are invited to participate.
The meeting will have a full-day programme with presentations, panel discussions, and dialogue on various topics such as national mental health strategies and action plans, anti-stigmatization initiatives and mental health among children and adolescents. The participating countries will also be invited to give presentations.
Please find attached a preliminary invitation with additional information. A tentative programme will also be shared with you as soon as possible.
Date of reply
Please RSVP to Agnes Brunak (
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]> ) from the Danish Health Authority with a list of participants no later than 1 July 2022.
Travel expenses and accommodation
The Danish Health Authority and the WHO Regional Office for Europe offer to jointly cover the travel expenses of up to four participants from Estonia, including flight- and accommodation costs. Please inform Agnes Brunak (
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]> ) from the Danish Health Authority if you would like to make use of this offer before making any booking arrangements.
Should you have any questions regarding the meeting, travel expenses or other, please feel free to contact Agnes Brunak (
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]> ), Sofie Ciliane Kofoed (
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]> ), or Nicolai Toft Sode (
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]> ) from the Danish Health Authority.
Yours sincerely,
Søren Brostrøm Natasha Azzopardi Muscat
Director General Director, Country Health Policies and Systems
Danish Health Authority WHO Regional Office for Europe
Saatja: Agnes Brunak <
[email protected]>
Saadetud: 27.06.2022 18:21
Adressaat: SM Info <
[email protected]>; <
[email protected]>
Koopia: Anniki Lai <
[email protected]>; <
[email protected]>;
<
[email protected]>
Teema: Updated Invitation and programme for the joint Nordic/Baltic
meeting on mental health in Copenhagen on 19 september 2022
Dear colleagues,
Please find attached an elaborated invitation with a tentative programme
for the joint Nordic/Baltic meeting on mental health in Copenhagen on 19
September 2022.
We are looking forward to interesting presentations and discussions and
we hope that you want to participate in the meeting. You are also welcome
to forward this invitation to other colleagues in Estonia if relevant.
I kindly ask you to RSVP to me with a list of participants no later than
1 July 2022.
If you would like to give a presentation or take part in any of the
roundtable discussions during the programme, you are also welcome to
state this in your registration.
Should you have any questions or comments, do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards,
_____________________
Agnes Brunak
Head of SectionT (dir.) +45 2143 3872
Danish Health AuthorityDirector Generals OfficeT +45 7222 7400
Learn more about how Danish Health Authority processes personal data
.
Fra: Søren Brostrøm <
[email protected]> Sendt: 16. juni 2022 14:05Til:
[email protected];
[email protected]:
[email protected]; Agnes Brunak
<
[email protected]>;
[email protected];
[email protected]: Invitation
to a joint Nordic/Baltic meeting on mental health in Copenhagen on 19
september 2022
Dear colleague,
We are pleased to invite you to a joint meeting between the Nordic and
Baltic countries on mental health hosted by the Danish Health Authority.
The meeting will take place on 19 September 2022 at the WHO Regional
Office for Europe at Marmorvej 51 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
We aim to bring together the Director Generals and senior staff members
from national health authorities or ministries of health from the Faroe
Islands, Greenland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Estonia,
and Latvia to launch a collaboration on improvement of mental health and
mental health care in the Nordic and Baltic countries. You are also
welcome to appoint other technical experts from your country to
participate if relevant. Up to five representatives from each country are
invited to participate.
The meeting will have a full-day programme with presentations, panel
discussions, and dialogue on various topics such as national mental
health strategies and action plans, anti-stigmatization initiatives and
mental health among children and adolescents. The participating countries
will also be invited to give presentations.
Please find attached a preliminary invitation with additional
information. A tentative programme will also be shared with you as soon
as possible.
Date of reply
Please RSVP to Agnes Brunak () from the Danish Health Authority with a
list of participants no later than 1 July 2022.
Travel expenses and accommodation
The Danish Health Authority and the WHO Regional Office for Europe offer
to jointly cover the travel expenses of up to four participants from
Estonia, including flight- and accommodation costs. Please inform Agnes
Brunak () from the Danish Health Authority if you would like to make use
of this offer before making any booking arrangements.
Should you have any questions regarding the meeting, travel expenses or
other, please feel free to contact Agnes Brunak (), Sofie Ciliane Kofoed
(), or Nicolai Toft Sode () from the Danish Health Authority.
Yours sincerely,
Søren
Brostrøm Natasha
Azzopardi Muscat
Director
General Director,
Country Health Policies and Systems
Danish Health Authority WHO
Regional Office for Europe