 |
CLUB OF GENEVA
Club of Geneva has existed as an informal organization for two years. The members were originally defined as the delegates that attended the annual Global Symposium on Business and Mental Energy at Work, but concluded after the White Paper discussion at the Global Symposium last year that the Club of Geneva should be a formalized entity. Club of Geneva is now a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to support initiatives on mental wellbeing in the workplace. The vision is to be a high profile leading international network such as the Club of Rome. The board members of the Club of Geneva are:
The Club of Geneva supports 3 initiatives: 1. Worldwide Guidelines on EAPs 2. Mental Health at Work in Developing Nations 3. Mental Health in Small Enterprises
Club of Geneva supports these initiatives by contributing knowledge, expertise and capital resources from the Club of Geneva network. The Center of Mental Health Services, SAMHSA, US Department of Health, supports Club of Geneva.
To join the Club of Geneva membership, and for more information about sponsorship opportunities offered by Club of Geneva and each of the high priority initiatives, please visit www.wspartners.com or contact Majella Uzan by email at majella@wspartners.com, tel. +1.415.331.5236, or by fax +1.415.331.5239.
GLOBAL SYMPOSIUM
The Third Annual Global Symposium on Business and Mental Energy At Work takes place in Geneva, Switzerland, October 6-7, 2003. This is a collaborative effort between World Strategic Partners, Club of Geneva, Business & Health Magazine and with technical assistance from Volkswagen and International Labour Organization (ILO).
The Global Symposium is a unique international platform for dialogue. 180-200 opinion leaders attend the Global Symposium. They represent international agencies, governments, employers, employee sectors, academics, researchers, NGOs, health professionals, financiers, consultants and insurers.
The Global Symposium will feature best practice companies engaged in work environment efficiencies. A broad range of topics will be discussed such as policies, change processes, work/life, human resources, occupational health, mental health programs and employee assistance programs. The symposium is designed to allow for maximum networking through knowledge.
To review the program in a nutshell, Global Symposium sponsorship opportunities and to register online, please visit www.wspartners.com or contact Majella Uzan by email at Majella@wspartners.com, Tel. +1.415.331.5236, or by Fax +1.415.331.5239.
POLICY MAKERS TAKE ACTION
Mental Health in now on the Agenda. Politicians in many countries have defined mental health as a prioritized area. This is partly caused by the general development. September 11 and a number of major business changes has increased the focus. Below are some examples. Executive Order Signed by President George Bush, New Freedom Commission on Mental Health in USAPresident George Bush announced in April 2002, the formation of the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health and appointed Michael Francis Hogan as Chair. Mr. Hogan was the Director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health, where he has served since 1991.
To review the Executive Order in full, click on: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/04/20020429-2.html
European Commission on Bridging Science and PoliciesIn response to the Joint Declaration: European Commission (EC) and World Health Organization (WHO), 2001, The Spanish EU Presidency (January – June 2002) hosted the EC last June in Barcelona, Spain addressing the role of occupational health on work-related stress and mental health issues causing economic and health burden in member countries of the European Union. The meeting resulted in an appointment of three networks to gather models of good practice from EU workplaces for inter-sectoral and cross-disciplinary policy development in Europe.
To review the European Commission’s Declaration, Adapting to change in work and society: a new Community strategy on health and safety at work 2002–2006 http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/news/2002/mar/new_strategy_en.pdf To review the EC/WHO Joint Declaration and EC Barcelona Declaration, please request a copy from Majella@wspartners.com
WHO Reports Mental Health is as Important as Physical Health The World Health Organization (WHO) published a significant report, World Health Report 2001, Mental Health: New Understanding, New Hope making a clear statement that mental health is as important as physical health and is crucial to the overall wellbeing of individuals, societies and countries.
"Mental Wellbeing is a state in which individuals can realize their abilities, can cope with the stresses of life, can work productively, satisfactorily and make positive contributions to their societies”. Gro Harlem Brundtland Director General, WHO 2001
To order a copy of the WHO Report, order online at bookorders@who.int. Note: When ordering, please reference this source code: World Health Report 2001, Mental Health: New Understanding, New Hope, ISBN 92 4 156201
LEADING RESEARCH STUDIESGlobal Burden of Disease Depression is the second leading cause of global disability after tobacco smoking. Signified by the landmark study, Global Burden of Disease, this fact finding study implicates five mental disorders within the top ten disability adjusted life years (DALYs). Mental disorders collectively account for more than 15% of the overall burden of disease. These data underscore the importance and urgency of treating and preventing mental disorders and of promoting mental health in our societies.
To order a copy of this report online, click on http://www.hup.harvard.edu Note: If ordering, please reference this source code: ISBN 0-674-35448-6 (MURGLO)
Mental Health in the Workplace 200 million days are lost from work in USA. 147 million European workers are exposed to stress. The International Labour Organization (ILO) Mental Health in the Workplace reports the growing awareness and recognition of the need to address mental health issues in the workplace. US national spending on depression management alone is $30-40 billion, and an estimated 200 million days are lost from work each year. Employers are increasingly aware of the rising healthcare-related costs due to mental health and psychosocial factors associated with work injuries and absenteeism.
In the European Union, the cost of mental health problems for member states is estimated to be an average of 3-4% of the GNP. The European Commission report on Guidance on Work-Related Stress concludes that work-related stress problems and their causes can be identified using validated measurement tools and implemented using the recommended flexible health management framework that enterprises within EU member countries could adapt to suit their own work environment.
To review the Employer Awareness article in full, please click on: http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/business/industries/healthcare/3668825.htm To order a copy of Mental Health in the Workplace, order by E-mail at pubvente@ilo.org Note: When ordering a copy, please reference this source code: ISBN 92-2-112223-9 To order a copy of Guidance on Work Related Stress, order online at www.europa.eu.int. Note: When ordering a copy, please reference this source code: ISBN 92-828-9806-7
World Strategic Partners (WSP) is an international health industry network that seeks to empower and influence health and policy leaders to be more successful by providing access to the network, collaborative international healthcare initiatives, and a forum for high quality knowledge exchange, learning and innovative thinking. WSP is headquartered in Sausalito, California, USA with European business affiliates in Oslo, Norway and Brussels, Belgium. For more information, please visit, www.wspartners.com.
Subscription information: We encourage you to share Business and Mental Energy at Work WSP newsletter with friends and associates but we ask that you keep the copyright message intact. If you are receiving a forwarded copy of Business and Mental Energy at Work WSP newsletter, but would like to sign up for your own copy, please send an email to Majella@wspartners.com
For removal from this newsletter, reply to this message with the word ‘REMOVE’ in the SUBJECT line.
|