Brainstorming report on “Social Inclusion: partnering with other sectors”

Earlier this year, Mental Health Europe was invited to participate in Voice of Culture: a structured dialogue between the European Commission and the cultural sector. Voices of Culture provides a framework for discussions between EU civil society stakeholders and the European Commission regarding culture.

As part of this structured dialogue, a brainstorming and discussions on ‘Culture for social inclusion: partnering with other sectors’ were organised this year. MHE was pleased to participate in this initiative and believes that collaboration between the cultural sector and other civil society organisations is essential for social inclusion: Culture, arts and music can help promote the social inclusion of persons living with mental ill health.

Two meetings were held in 2018 to discuss social inclusion, culture and heritage projects in healthcare, social care, prisons and deprived communities. The Brainstorming Session on Culture for social inclusion: partnering with other sectors gathered 30 European civil society stakeholders in the cultural sector and 5 noncultural stakeholders (including MHE) to exchange ideas on this topic and to come up with joint ideas and recommendations to be shared with the European Commission.

These meetings have resulted in the Brainstorming report on “Social Inclusion: partnering with other sectors”. This report is the result of the brainstorming process between 35 organisations, both from the cultural and other sectors. It looks at the policy, qualities of partnership and research and development aspects of programmes and projects dealing with culture and social inclusion. It lists critical success factors as well as obstacles, and ultimately gives recommendations on how to improve the partnerships between the cultural and other sectors in this sphere. It also addresses the problem of rising exclusionary attitudes among the wider population and suggests possible actions.

MHE would like to encourage our member organisations to consult this report which include some case studies on arts and culture having an important role in supporting mental health and well-being, reducing stigma and social isolation for people with mental ill health and their families (See Case Study 20, Case Study 7, and “Short Case Studies and Best Practice Examples: Health and well-being related projects’ p53.

Click on the picture below to download and read the report.