Mental Service Users suffering from long-term and enduring mental illnesses more than often experience difficulties in rejoining the work force or participating in meaningful activities. The aim of this conference is to present the state of the art research and current practice in the field of Lifelong Learning and Empowerment in Mental Health.

The conference builds on major new research supported by the European Commission, including the EMILIA project whose aim was to improve the way in which service users could experience greater participation and inclusion either in the delivery of services or in education and training delivery in meaningful ways which included greater social inclusion, and paid employment, however locally defined. The conference will include contributions from leading experts both within and outside the EMILIA project.

Through sharing research findings and best examples of practice we hope this conference will contribute to an increased awareness of the need to improve for Mental Health Services and vocational opportunities for Mental Health Service Users. This conference we hope will gave space and time in order to achieve this.