Being an active career to her brother who lives with schizophrenia and seeing the problems faced by families trying to cope with mental illness consequences and the unfairness of the situation service users find themselves in prompted her to become actively involved in the mental health issues that affect vulnerable people and society as a whole. She is passionate about promoting awareness among key stakeholders of what is meant by ‘rights’ under equality legislation; advocating against stigma, discrimination and prejudice surrounding mental health conditions; promoting a recovery ethos in mental health and social care

She is passionate about promoting awareness among key stakeholders of what is meant by ‘rights’ under equality legislation; advocating against stigma, discrimination and prejudice surrounding mental health conditions; promoting a recovery ethos in mental health and social care services, and empowering service users and family members.

Katerina’s educational achievements include a Postgraduate degree in International Mental Health, Law and Human Rights, a Bachelor of Arts in Law, a Bachelor of Arts in Italian language and literature and a number of short training courses.

Katerina is a practising lawyer in Greece with 13 years professional experience providing legal advice/opinions and representing clients in courts and has served as a consultant on post-CRPD mental health policies and legislations, including in Afghanistan, Qatar, UAE and Sierra Leone.

Katerina is also vice President, Association of families/careers for the mental health and Alzheimer’s disease SOFPSI N.SERRON, Greece; PFPS Champion for Greece, WHO, Switzerland; and visiting lecturer (compassionate care & doctor-patient relationship at undergrad. level and health law & patients’ rights at postgrad. level), Faculty of Medicine-University of Crete, Greece.