FEMASAM calls the maximum consensus and parliamentary commitment to adopt the Plan of Mental health.

Before the Plan of Mental Health 2009-2014 of the community of Madrid.

– requested approval of a budget coherent ” that allows to allocate the human and material resources necessary for their fulfilment

– suggests the implementation of a Commission to evaluate the effectiveness of the services provided by the Plan of Mental Health

– appreciates at the same time consideration for the participation of the associative movement of the Community of Madrid in the draft of the plan

Madrid, December 2009.- the Federation Madrileña of associations Pro Mental Health (FEMASAM) asks politicians the maximum consensus and possible parliamentary compromise, once publication of the next Plan of Mental Health 2009-2014 of the community of Madrid.

Also requested that a timetable for implementation and development for the different objectives and recommendations provided, as well as the adoption of a budget consistent ” that allows to allocate the human and material resources necessary for its efficient implementation.

As added proposal suggests the implementation of a Committee or Panel of experts in mental health, internal and external to the autonomous health administration, allowing a continuous assessment of the effectiveness of the different services that provides Mental Health Plan, in order to find possible failures of care systems, and proceed to correct them promptly.

The Federation thanked turn for consideration for the participation of the associative movement in the community of Madrid in the project for the drafting of the Plan, interpreted as a recognition of the legitimacy of patients and their families to participate in the Organization of public life in general and mental health policies in particular.

Therefore, requests that the objectives and recommendations related to the implementation of this Plan of Mental health are taken into account from the day following the adoption by the Legislative Assembly of the Madrid community, and initiate the discussion groups and work necessary for its implementation.

In addition FEMASAM wants to put on record the importance having issues, among others, such as the increase in the human resources of professionals pay attention to the mental health (psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, occupational therapists, social workers and health staff) that would allow for the Group of people with mental illness and their families improve the quality of care facilities complying with the standards recommended at the level International.

In this respect it calls to ensure attention to persons diagnosed mental illness, expanding the coverage of programmes of rehabilitation and continuity of care, as well as the follow-up to those patients who are discharged from and whose records in any case must disappear from the system in anticipation of future needs.

It also considers that primary care services must be improved, as well as the home care which, according to FEMASAM, continues to be one of the shortcomings of our system.

Madrid’s Federation calls for mental health care count with sufficient guarantees of quality, territorialization and equity of assistance for all users of the public network of care for mental health, with special consideration to people with severe mental illness and long termavoiding situations of neglect and social exclusion.

In addition, remember that there is a priority for the work of prevention and early diagnosis of mental health problems; appropriate attention to children and adolescents through the joint work of the ministries of education and health engagement; combating stigma and discrimination, and the prevention of suicide, resulting in a considerable loss of human lives (857 deaths by suicide in the community of Madrid in 2007 according to figures from the National Institute of statistics).

Finally FEMASAM considers it necessary to establish the necessary strategies to ensure that no person with mental illness serious and persistent entering prison, as well as to eradicate gender-based violence, through the design of appropriate programmes.

The Federation Madrileña of associations Pro Mental Health (FEMASAM) is a non-profit, incorporated in 1992, which it joins 23 associations and representing more than 6,000 people with mental illness and their families in the territory of the community of Madrid.