All persons have the right to the best availablmental health care, which shall be part of the health  and social care system.
NU Resolution 46/119,1.1

SMES-EUROPA is a non-profit International Association (aisbl) operates at the interface, intersection of mental health & social exclusion.

The informal European network began in 1992 in Rome as result of the 1st European seminar on the appalling neglect and abandoned homeless people living in extremely poor health & social conditions.

A society which does not take care of its homeless and mentally ill people, but discriminates against them, is
certainly not the European  community
we want to build.

The extent of poverty and social exclusion in Europe is unacceptable
                      European Council Lisbon 2000

The true causes of poverty and
exclusion are far from being eradicated in Europe.         
                       European Council of Lisbon  2006

The stigma  and  discrimination,
related to the mental disease, are long-lasting.
                                                   Year of Equal  Opportunity  2007

   mentally ill people without adequate assistance,

   young people at risk of losing viable contact with society,

   people addicted to alcohol and drugs, (ex) prisoners,

   elderly people who have been abandoned,

   refugees & migrants without permission of residence's

 

GENERAL OBJECTIVES OF SMES-Europa

   to improve mental, physical and social well-being

  to promote respect of Human RIGHT and to facilitate the access to citizenship rights and social  &
    health services.

   to promote active inclusion: participation and solidarity for people living in extreme social and health
    precariousness in all European Countries, especially for homeless and  mentally ill people.

 

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

   Information and heightening of awareness for all civic society

   Networking : improving opportunities of working together

   Education and training: permanent &  continuum, promoting exchanges

   Lobbying and advocacy

The European Commission has submitted a proposal for decision to the Council and the European Parliament to proclaim 2010 as the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion.

The document can be downloaded in all of the Union's 22 languages

In reference to the 78 million people currently living at risk of poverty in the Member States, the text observes that the ''state of affairs is in clear contradiction to key shared values of the European Union and needs to be tackled through resolute and credible action''.

Reports of the Commission show that over 100 million people live on an income equivalent to a maximum of 22 euros a day''.