GE awards to the eminent person

GE awards
to the eminent persons

In 2004 GAMIAN-Europe instituted the special award for people provided prominent contribution into the field of mental health.

Our laureates:

Mrs & Mr Vappu and Illka Taipale, Finland (2011, the 14th annual Convention, Brussels, Belgium). Their address to GE is available here.

Vappu Taipale is a Finnish doctor of medicine, politician and a former member of parliament. Vappu was a director-general at STAKES from 1992 to 2008, after which she retired. STAKES preceded The National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), which is a research and development institute under the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. In her position as a director-general of STAKES, Vappu influenced very much in getting Mental Health on EU-agenda in 1999 when Finland held the EU Presidency. Vappu has been very active in Mental Health Promotion in Europe and in forming EU Mental Health Srategy. Even after her retirement she is very active in voluntary work concerning Mental Health.

Ilkka Taipale is a Finnish politician and a doctor. He has been a member of parliament in 1971-1975 and again in 2000-2007. He has been a directing psychiatrist in Kellokoski psychiatric hospital for several years and he was a president of Finnish Central Association for Mental Health for four years at the end of 1990’s. Finnish Central Association for Mental Health is an association for people suffering and recovering from psychiatric problems. The Association consists of some 190 local, regional and national mental health associations from all over the country with some 22 000 individual members. Ilkka is famous about advocating for homeless people, for mental health patients, for prisoners and for unemployed people.

Mr. Jürgen Scheftlein, policy officer in charge of mental health at DG Sanco, European Commission (2010, the 13th annual Convention, Lisbon, Portugal). His great input in prevention of suicides is partly reflected here:

http://www.ec-mental-health-process.net/2C/minutes_mh_in_older_people_ec_expert_meeting.pdf

http://ec.europa.eu/health/mental_health/docs/ev_20091210_co12_en.pdf

Mr. Stephen John Fry (born 24 August 1957) is an English actor, writer, journalist, comedian, television presenter and film director, the author of the book "The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive" where he talks of his struggle with bipolar disorder and interviews others who have the condition. (2009, the 12th annual Convention, Malta).

Mr Kjell Magne Bondevik, the former Norwegian Prime Minister (2008, the 11th annual Convention, Jerusalem, Israel). Mr Bondevik suffered from depression while in office. He admitted and declared his illness, helping to make mental illness more publicly acceptable, and after recovery he was elected for a second term which expired in 2005, when he retired leaving the country with a booming economy.

Professor Norman Sartorius (2007, the 10^th annual Convention, Terme Tuhelij, Croatia). Prof. Norman Sartorius undoubtedly is one of the most prominent and influential psychiatrists of his generation, professor of psychiatry based at Geneva University, member of the most important world associations. He played an essential role in the GAMIAN-Europe Stigma Survey.

Mr John Bowis, Member of the European Parliament (2006, the 9th annual Convention, Blankenberge, Belgium)Mr Bowis outlined the politicians’ perspective and the EU action on Mental Health, in particular on his own Report for the Parliament on response to the Green Paper. He stressed the necessity of a patient-centred policy involving individuals in any decision about treatment, care and planning of services and of a better balance between medication and therapy. He strongly believes that a new emphasis must be put on the promotion of mental well-being.

The Honorary Dr. Lawrence Gonzi, Prime Minister of Malta (2005, the 8th Annual Convention, Bucharest, Romania)

Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy Networks - Europe

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