Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy Networks Europe (GAMIAN)

GAMIAN-Europe (Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy Networks-Europe) is a patient-driven pan-European organization that represents the interests of persons affected by mental
illness and advocates for their rights.

The goals of GAMIAN-Europe are

To improve the availability, accessibility, and quality of treatment for all psychiatric disorders,
To improve the provision, reliability and quality of information on mental illnesses for patients, relatives and carers,
To reduce stigma, prejudice, ignorance and misinformation surrounding mental illness,
To promote collaboration within the mental health field amongst those working in research, education and training at national and pan European levels who support the aims and objectives of GAMIAN-Europe,
To assist in improving the training, education and understanding of health professionals and other personnel responsible for the delivery of mental health services in Europe,
To improve awareness, knowledge and understanding of the public, the politicians and the press with regard to mental disorders,
To promote a positive message that mental illness can be treated effectively by a variety of means,
To promote collaboration within the mental health field amongst those working in research, education and training at national and pan European levels who support the aims and objectives of GAMIAN-Europe,
To assist in the creation, growth and development, where appropriate, of patient groups in all European States focusing on mental health.

Gamian unites more than 80 national associations from 37 countries from Iceland on the North, Malta on the South, Russia on the East, and Portugal on the West. Gamian has also have associated members from Australia, Brazil, Canada, and South Africa.

The GAMIAN project team:

Role in project
Overall: Patient involvement

Specific role in WPs:
WP2: disseminbation of results.
WP4: Patients advisory board.

Name: Erik van der Eycken

Organisation: GAMIAN-Europe

Title: Assistent Research Projects

Email: assistent@gamian.eu

Expertise relevant to project
As staff member of GAMIAN-Europe :

Co-responsible for different activities and events such as General Assembly, Regional and Thematic seminars, Annual Conventions.
Frequent contacts with member patient organisations via participation in conferences, seminars and European Parliament Interest group on Mental Health meetings, representing the view of the patient.
Project team member for the MooDFOOD research project.

As expert-by-experience:

Vice President, Member of the Board of Directors and regional coordinator (self care groups) of a Belgian patient association for people with bipolar disorder and chronic depression (Ups & Downs vzw)
Member of steering committees and working groups, related to Mental Health Care in Flanders (Community Mental Health Care, Training programmes for employment of “experts by experience” in Mental Health Care).