| 1. Purpose Of This Document |
This document is designed to give a brief overview of IIMHL people, agencies and activities to December 2015.
| 2. Introduction to IIMHL |
The International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership (IIMHL) is a unique international collaborative that focuses on improving mental health and addictions services. IIMHL is a collaboration of nine countries: Australia, England, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, USA and Sweden.
IIMHL organises systems for international innovation sharing, networking and problem solving across countries and agencies. The overall aim is to provide better outcomes for people who use mental health and addiction services and their families.
The Leadership Exchange is a week-long learning event which is held every 16 months.
Knowledge transfer among IIMHL countries includes not only the Leadership Exchange, but also promotion of workshops/training/education, research, support of learning collaboratives and information dissemination between Exchanges.
IIDL for disability leaders is a key part of IIMHL’s activities.
| 3. Background |
National policies and directions have often been focused on clinical practices rather than recovery through mental health leadership. National perspectives such as those in Australia, Canada, England, the Republic of Ireland, NZ (New Zealand), Scotland, Sweden and the US (United States) realise that mental health leadership is just as vital to the success of community-based services as are effective clinical practices.
To succeed in moving evidence-based and promising/wise practices into the service provider environment will require leaders who have the ability to promote and support the rapid changes occurring in the delivery of mental health services.
The absence of resources and supports for key leaders in mental health hampers them, their organizations and communities from obtaining and adapting the skills and processes identified as most likely to support consumers to achieve recovery. With greater support for developing and demonstrating leadership, mental health leaders will develop services based on best practices and innovation and will nurture and grow future leaders.
| 4. Participating IIMHL Countries |
IIMHL is a “Government-to-Government” initiative. It is funded by the eight participating Governments of each country. As of May 2013, Governments and national organizations recognizing the issues outlined above and wanting to promote mental health leadership are:
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The Department of Health (England) |
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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) of the US |
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The Mental Health Directorate of the Ministry of Health New Zealand (MOHNZ) |
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The Scottish Executive (SE) |
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Health Service Executive, Republic of Ireland (HSE) |
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The Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Principal Committee (MHDAPC) |
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Health Canada and Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) |
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The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Sweden |
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GGZ Nederland / Dutch Association of Mental Health and Addiction Care |
| 5. International Change Management |
The journey towards recovery focused, best practice mental health practices is an international movement. National policies and directions can be enhanced by changes occurring in other countries. The role of a leader in maintaining awareness of all changes is a daunting task. It often leaves leaders without a network for personal support or organizational assistance to advance changes needed within the environment.
IIMHL offers support and technical assistance to countries and their provider leaders by assisting leaders in adapting to rapid changes in the field and providing a support network through partnership with other leaders from around the world. IIMHL identifies and shares the best in managerial, clinical and operational practices together with access to information about developments that are occurring in other countries. IIMHL provides member countries with a linkage to international leadership development that supplements their national policies and service developments with an emphasis on evidence-based practices.
| 6. Vision, Mission & Goals |
The following vision, mission and goals have been agreed by leaders of participating countries:
VISION
We seek a future where everyone with a mental illness / mental health, addiction and/or disability issue and those who care for them will have access to effective treatment and support from communities and providers who have the knowledge and competence to offer services that promote recovery.
MISSION
To achieve its vision IIMHL and IIDL provide an international infrastructure to identify and exchange information about effective leadership, management and operational practices in the delivery of services. It encourages the development of organizational and management best practice within mental health, addiction and disability services through collaborative and innovative arrangements among leaders.
GOALS
IIMHL aims to:
- Provide a single international point of reference for key mental health, addiction and disability leaders.
- Strengthen workforce development and mentoring of mental health, addiction and disability leaders.
- Identify and disseminate best management and operational practices.
- Foster innovation and creativity.
- Expand the knowledge of:
- Building community capacity.
- Implementing best practices for consumer recovery.
- Expanding methodologies for integration with other health and social systems.
- Promote international collaboration and research.
- Provide assistance to international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Organisation for Economic Development (OECD), and sponsoring countries to support low and middle income countries to increase their ability to operate community based recovery systems.
| 7. Structure |
IIMHL operates as a 501(c)(3) US non-profit corporation. It has a small Board of Directors currently comprising five former Sponsoring Countries Leadership Group (SCLG) members and who collectively have a long history with IIMHL. The Board has fiduciary responsibility for the fiscal and corporate functions and reviews the performance of IIMHL.
Each of the eight member countries identifies representatives to participate in the SCLG and pays a fee into a small fund to cover the administration and operations of IIMHL. The SCLG also includes the President/CEO of IIMHL.
The By-Laws for IIMHL specify the composition of the IIMHL SCLG and authorise the SCLG to choose the subject or theme for the Leadership Exchanges, and to provide suggestions and advice to the Board and President/CEO regarding the activities and expenditures of IIMHL.
Although a small SCLG has been established for IIDL, this is not currently recognised in the IIMHL By-Laws. The leadership of IIDL has recently seen a change, and the new leader intends to expand sponsorship and clarify the IIDL direction over the coming two years. At that end of that time, the Board and SCLG will be updated on the plans for IIDL, and if necessary any implications for IIMHL and its By-Laws can be considered.
A small “virtual” international IIMHL office is led by the President/CEO. A team of four part-time contractors provide administrative, communications and operational support for IIMHL and IIDL, including support for the website and database. From IIMHL’s inception, Mental Health Corporations of America kindly donated support for IIMHL book-keeping and auditing, however since 1 July 2012 IIMHL has entered an arrangement with an accounting firm to fulfill these functions.
Each sponsoring country nominates key people to liaise with IIMHL, and these people also contribute to the operation of IIMHL in various ways.
| 8. Benefits of Membership |
| 9. Who May Join? |
| 10. How To Join |
Please click on the following link to join IIMHL:
| 11. The IIMHL Leadership Exchange |
Each exchange occurs in a different region: Australia/New Zealand; North America, UK and the Republic of Ireland, with one of the countries hosting the two day Network Meeting.
Since its inception in 2003, IIMHL has undertaken 13 Leadership Exchanges:
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In 2003, this was held in England with the Network Meeting in Birmingham.
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In 2004, it was held in the US with the Network Meeting in Washington DC.
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In 2005, the exchange was held in Australia and New Zealand with the Network Meeting in Wellington, NZ.
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In 2006, the Leadership Exchange was held in the Republic of Ireland, England and Scotland with the Network Meeting in Edinburgh.
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In 2007, the Leadership Exchange was held in the US and Canada with the Network Meeting in Ottawa.
In 2008, this was a gap year. -
In 2009, the Leadership Exchange was held in Australia and New Zealand with the Network Meeting held in Brisbane.
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In 2010, the Leadership Exchange was held in Ireland with the Network Meeting held in Killarney.
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In 2011, the Leadership Exchange was held in the US and Canada with the Network Meeting held in San Francisco.
In 2012, this was a gap year. -
In 2013, the Leadership Exchange was held in NZ and Australia with the Network Meeting held in Auckland.
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In 2014, the Leadership Exchange was held in England with the Network Meeting held in Manchester.
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In 2015, the Leadership Exchange was held in Canada with the Network Meeting held in Vancouver.
In 2016, this was a gap year. -
In 2017, the Leadership Exchange was held in Australia and New Zealand with the Network Meeting held in Sydney.
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In 2018, the Leadership Exchange was held in Sweden with the Network Meeting held in Stockholm.
- In 2019, the Leadership Exchange was held in the US with the Network Meeting held in Washington, DC.
The philosophy behind the IIMHL Leadership Exchange is that once key leaders are linked together, they have the opportunity to begin collaborating and building an international partnership. The aim is to build relationships and networks that are mutually helpful for leaders, organizations and countries. The benefits of such a collaborative effort will cascade down to all staff and consumers. These benefits could include:
Joint programme and service development
Staff exchanges and sabbaticals
Sharing of managerial, operational and clinical expertise (e.g. in service evaluation)
Research
Peer consultation
The exchange process involves IIMHL with the regional countries (e.g. in 2011 the US and Canada) matching leaders. Leaders may be Government officials, provider organizations, planning and/or funding, researchers, leaders from indigenous or specific ethnic groups, family leaders or consumer leaders. The exchange starts with a two-day Match and is followed with a two day meeting. Each exchange occurs in a different region: Australia/New Zealand; North America, UK and Republic of Ireland, with one of the countries hosting the two day Network Meeting.
Our 12th Leadership Exchange in 2017 was held across Australia and New Zealand with Matches on February 27th and 28th followed by the Network Meeting held in Sydney, Australia from 1st to 3rd March. IIDL was also an integral part of this Exchange.
The next Leadership Exchange will be:
28 May - 1st June 2018: Sweden and Region with the Network Meeting in Stockholm, Sweden.
SCHEDULE OF THE IIMHL LEADERSHIP EXCHANGE
Days 1 and 2: Matches
Leaders who are visiting choose the theme based Match they wish to attend. These Matches are often return visits where visiting leaders are traveling to see leaders that they hosted in prior exchanges. Or they may be new or emerging leaders matched with more experienced leaders. The host and visitors jointly prepare a programme through prior email contact for the two day Match that ensures that leaders’ (both host and visitor) expertise and interests are met.
The hosting leaders make their facilities and staff available for the visitors to observe and where possible participate in day to day activities. This programme has often included brief presentations by visiting leaders to the staff of the host organization. Many collaborative research projects have been initiated during a visit. Leaders who have been matched in prior exchanges have sometimes used these two day Matches to conduct peer consultation/assessment of a service.
Day 3: Travel
The third day of the Leadership Exchange is for travel from all of the host sites to the venue for the IIMHL Network Meeting.
Day 4 and 5: IIMHL Network Meeting
The two day Match is followed by a two day Network Meeting which both visitors and hosts attend. Both days look at how to continue to build collaboration between leaders of IIMHL’s sponsoring countries and how we can transfer knowledge and best practice rapidly among countries.
(Appendix 1 below outlines a brief description and summary of past exchanges)
| 12. IIMHL Knowledge Exchange Activities |
Over the years since its inception, IIMHL has encouraged each leader involved in the Leadership Exchange to make the most of their learning experience by continuing connections with like leaders in the months between the Exchanges. The intent is that the benefits of such a collaborative effort will cascade down to all staff and service users. Potential avenues for collaboration include joint programmes and service development, staff exchanges and sabbaticals, collaborative service evaluation, managerial, operational and clinical knowledge sharing, research and peer consultation.
During 2014, some of the matched leaders from previous theme-based Leadership Exchanges have continued to work together to share knowledge. Specifically, learning activities have continued in relation to: the Clinical Leaders Group (who are doing some joint research through Columbia University), the Workforce Collaborative that has continued to share information between countries, the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services collaborative, the Wharerātā Group of indigenous leaders, Interrelate – the Service user Coalition, and the Disability Leadership.
The International Knowledge Exchange Network for Mental Health (IKEN-MH)
This is a joint venture between the Mental Health Commission of Canada and IIMHL that was launched in July 2012 and aims to provide technological support for collaborative theme-based learning in between Exchanges. This will increase the opportunity for leaders to participate in shared learning irrespective of their attendance at the Leadership Exchanges.
The IIMHL Update
The IIMHL Update is a twice-monthly email that includes information on the latest Mental Health and Disability:
News
Research
Policy Documents
Webinars on best practice
Examples of key best practice documents shared via the Update in 2016 are:
Australia
Mental Health Peer Work Qualification Development Project
The Framework for Mental Health in Multicultural Australia: Towards culturally inclusive service delivery (The Framework)
Medication and Mental Illness: Perspectives
The Mental Health of Children and Adolescents: Report on the Second Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2015
Canada
WeBelong: International Forum on Life Promotion to Address Indigenous Suicide
2nd National Conference on Peer Support - Canada
England
Early Years: Promoting health and wellbeing in under 5s
Resilience for the Digital World: Research into children and young people's social and emotional wellbeing online
Our Communities, our Mental Health: Commissioning for better public mental health
Ireland
Technology, Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in Ireland - a Good Practice Guide
Improving Health and Wellbeing Outcomes in the Early Years
Suicide Prevention, What Works?
National Clinical Programme for the Assessment and Management of Patients Presenting to Emergency Departments following Self-Harm
New Zealand
Kaupapa Maori Models of Psychological Therapy & Mental Health Services: A literature review
The Commissioning Framework for Mental Health and Addiction
Nga-Ra-hui Hau Kura Suicide Mortaility Review Committee Feasibility Study 2014-15 Summary Report
Families and Whanau Status Report 2016
State of Care, 2016: What we learnt from monitoring Child, Youth and Family
The Determinants of Health for Children and Young People in New Zealand, 2014
Scotland
Mental Health in Scotland - A 10 year vision
Keeping Mothers and Babies in Mind
Place and Communities
What is Mental Health Recovery?
USA
Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Substance Use Disorders
Combatting the Heroin and Opioid Crisis: Heroin and Opioid Task Force
Approaches in Implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act: Best Practices from the States
Using a Brain Science-Infused Lens in Policy Development: Achieving healthier outcomes for children and families
International reports shared in Update for 2016
World Health Organisation (WHO) documents included:
Global Strategy for Women's Children's and Adolescents' Health, 2016-2020
World Federation for Mental Health
Living with Schizophrenia (2014). World Federation for Mental Health
OECD
Australia: Investing in Youth
United Nations
Global Status Report on Violence Prevention, 2014 WHO Jointly published by WHO, the United Nations Development Programme, and the New Resolution on Mental Health and Human Rights, 1 July 2016
Operational Guidance Mental Health & Psychosocial Support Programming for Refugee Operations
World Happiness Report 2016
European Union
Comorbidity of Substance Use and Mental Disorders in Europe
European Framework for Action on Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental Health in Policies including Across-government Policies
The World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on Mental Health 2014-2016
Seven Actions Towards a Mentally Health Organisation: A seven-step guide to workplace mental health
Alzheimer's Disease International
The Global Impact of Dementia: An analysis of prevalence, incidence, cost and trends
Webinars
Since 2011, IIMHL has collaborated with the US National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare to offer a series of Webinars. In 2012 these Webinars included:
Let’s get real: An Integrated Approach to Workforce Development (New Zealand)
Scotland’s Approach to Increase Rates of Diagnosis, Services and Outcomes for People with Dementia (Scotland)
There is More to Life than Services (England)
Key Learning from the “Implementing Recovery through Organisational Change” (ImROC) Project (England)
Early Intervention: Hope for Youth with Serious Mental Illness (Australia)
Wraparound Milwaukee: The Family Connection (USA)
Successful Transitions: From Youth to Adult (Canada)
Mental Health Services Italy (Italy)
“Make it so” newsletter for key leaders
Three times a year IIMHL prepares a newsletter for key leaders at high levels within each country to rapidly share the current state of international knowledge about a specific topic of interest. In 2016 three documents were circulated:
The Use of Tasers on People with Mental Health Problems: Across IIMHL Countries
Services for People Experiencing a Mentah Health Crisis SItuation: Across IIMHL Countries
IIMHL-facilitated visits by subject experts
This is a mechanism through which leaders who have in-depth knowledge of a particular innovation or cost-effective service can present their expertise at low- or no-cost to the sponsoring region that is mid-way between hosting exchanges.
IIMHL supported Arthur C. Evans of Philadelphia travel in November to Stockholm, Birmingham and Dublin, Ireland to speak about the city and urban mental health developments in Philadelphia.
IIMHL worked with Sweden to facilitate presentations by IIMHL, the honourable Norman Lamb and Dr Gary Belkin on developments with the West Midlands Mental Health Commission and New York City Thrive.
IIMHL linked Eduardo Vega, President and CEO of Mental Health Association of San Francisco and Director of the Center for Dignity, Recovery and Empowerment to speak in New Zealand in August, supported by the Health Promotion Agency. His topic was “Flipping the Script for Recovery and Dignity in Mental Health: the crucial role of communities, providers and lived expertise at the tipping point of change”.
IIMHL facilitated a presentation to South African Mental Health leaders by Bruce Kamradt on the Milwaukee Wraparound model for children and youth.
Planning for the 2018 Leadership Exchange
The theme for the 2018 Leadership Exchange will be advised shortly, as will the venue and additional information. The dates are 28th May to 1st June 2018.
| 13. Joining IIMHL |
Please complete the online Membership Record at the link below. Once completed and submitted you and/or your organization will be added to the IIMHL distribution lists.
A twice-monthly IIMHL Update, together with any other information relevant to IIMHL activities, will be automatically sent to you at the email address detailed in your Membership Record.
Please email Erin Geaney at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
Complete the Membership Record
| 14. Appendix 1 |
PAST IIMHL
Purpose of this document
This document describes each of the ten Leadership Exchanges to date held in 2003 (UK), 2004 (USA & Canada), 2005 (New Zealand & Australia), 2006 (Scotland & UK), 2007 (Canada & USA), 2008 (a gap year), 2009 (Australia & NZ), 2010 (Ireland & the UK), 2011 (US & Canada), 2012 (a gap year), 2013 (Australia & NZ), 2014 (England & the UK).
Background
The Leadership Exchange first occurred in Birmingham, UK in May 2003. It was the result of a plan developed by Mental Health Corporations of America, Inc. (MHCA) to link their leaders with colleagues in England. The aim was to share experiences in service development and innovation in order to improve the quality of services for consumers.
The Exchange was structured so that each leader would be placed at a site with a colleague for the first two days of the week, Monday and Tuesday. Then to support these exchanges all leaders would gather together to meet at a combined meeting. This meeting was divided into two sections:
- On the first day, the country hosting the combined meeting would organize and schedule presentations and discussions on mental health trends and innovations within their country.
- The second day was scheduled by IIMHL with the intent to share knowledge gained from the exchanges, encourage leaders to become actively involved with IIMHL projects and allow additional time to network.
| 2003 1st IIMHL Leadership Exchange in England with Network Meeting in Birmingham |
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Leaders were placed in various mental health service sites around England on Monday and Tuesday. On late Tuesday most leaders travelled to Birmingham, England for two and one-half days of meetings. NMHDU took on the responsibility for organizing the venue, the network meeting in Birmingham and the schedule for the first day and a half. IIMHL planned the last day.
| 2004 2nd IIMHL Leadership Exchange in USA with Network Meeting in Washington, DC |
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The schedule of the Leadership Exchange was slightly shifted. We had a full two days for visitors to be with their host, a full day of travel on Wednesday (to allow for the longer distances to be covered) and then two days for the network meeting.
The meeting was scheduled jointly with MHCA’s Spring Quarterly Meeting.
IIMHL Steering Group Decisions Made in 2004
At the September 2004 IIMHL Steering Group meeting, the Steering Group adopted a rotation schedule for the IIMHL Leadership Exchange so that it would allow partnerships to return more often to each organization. The rotation is:
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| 2005 3rd IIMHL Leadership Exchange in Australia and New Zealand with Network Meeting in Wellington, NZ |
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The third IIMHL Leadership Exchange was the first where two countries hosted Matches: Australia and New Zealand. The number of participants in Matches and focus groups increased significantly from the prior year.
New areas of Matches were between Pacific Island peoples and carer / family members. A theme that emerged during the past year was to focus on ethnic / cultural competencies especially within the African American and African Caribbean communities and Asian communities. Efforts will be made to include such communities in the future.
| 2006 4th IIMHL Leadership Exchange in United Kingdom with Network Meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland |
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The schedule for the 4th IIMHL Leadership Exchange included visitors hosting colleagues in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland on 5th and 6th of June. On 7th June people travelled to the Network Meeting in Edinburgh. This meeting commenced on 8th June with the 9th June being scheduled to include IIMHL activities.
This was the first time IIDL leaders met.
| 2007 5th IIMHL Leadership Exchange and Network Meeting in Ottawa, Canada |
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The schedule for the 5th IIMHL Leadership Exchange included visitors hosting colleagues in US and Canada on 27th and 28th of August. On 29th August people travelled to the Network Meeting in Ottawa. This Meeting commenced on 30th August and finished on the 31st.
NOTE: THERE WAS NO EXCHANGE HELD IN 2008
| 2009 6th IIMHL Leadership Exchange and Network Meeting in Brisbane, Australia |
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The schedule for the 6th IIMHL Leadership Exchange included visitors hosting colleagues in Australia and New Zealand on 2nd and 3rd of March. On 4th March people travelled to the Network Meeting in Brisbane. This Meeting commenced on 5th March and ended on the 6th.
| 2010 7th IIMHL Leadership Exchange and Network Meeting in Killarney, Ireland |
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The schedule for the 7th IIMHL Leadership Exchange included visitors hosting colleagues in Ireland on 19th and 20th of April. On 21st April, people travelled to the Network Meeting in Killarney. This meeting commenced on 22nd April and ended on the 23rd.
| 2011 8th IIMHL Leadership Exchange and Network Meeting in San Francisco, US |
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The schedule for the 8th IIMHL Leadership Exchange included visitors hosting colleagues in the US & Canada on the 13th and 13th of September. On 14th September people travelled to the Network Meeting in San Francisco. This meeting commenced on 15th September and ended on the 16th.
NOTE: THERE WAS NO EXCHANGE HELD IN 2012
| 2013 9th IIMHL Leadership Exchange and Network Meeting in Auckland, NZ |
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The schedule for the 9th IIMHL Leadership Exchange included visitors hosting colleagues in the New Zealand & Australia on the 4th and 5th of March. On 6th March people travelled to the Network Meeting in Auckland. This meeting commenced on 7th March and ended on the 8th.
| 2014 10th IIMHL Leadership Exchange and Network Meeting in Manchester, England |
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The schedule for the 10th IIMHL Leadership Exchange included visitors hosting colleagues in England, Ireland, Scotland and Sweden on the 9th and 10th of June. On 11th June people travelled to the Network Meeting in Manchester. This meeting commenced on 12th March and ended on the 13th.
| 2015 11th IIMHL Leadership Exchange in Canada and the US with Network Meeting in Vancouver, Canada |
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The schedule for the 11th IIMHL Leadership Exchange included visitors hosting colleagues in Canada and the USA on the 21st and 22nd of September, 450 in total (not all attended the Network Meeting). On 23rd September people travelled to the Network Meeting in Vancouver. This meeting commenced on 24th September and ended on the 25th
NOTE: THERE WAS NO EXCHANGE HELD IN 2016
| 2017 12th IIMHL Leadership Exchange in Australia and NZ with Network Meeting in Sydney, Australia |
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The schedule for the 12th IIMHL Leadership Exchange included visitors hosting colleagues in Australia and New Zealand on the 27th and 28th of February, 510 in total (not all attended the Network Meeting). On the 1st of March people travelled to the Network Meeting in Sydney. This meeting commenced on the 2nd of March ended on the 3rd.
| 2018 13th IIMHL Leadership Exchange in Sweden with Network Meeting in Stockholm, Sweden |
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The schedule for the 13th IIMHL Leadership Exchange included visitors hosting colleagues in Sweden on the 28th and 29th of May, 512 in total (not all attended the Network Meeting). On 30th May people travelled to the Network Meeting in Stockholm. This meeting commenced on 31st May and ended on the 1st June.
| 2019 14th IIMHL Leadership Exchange in the US and Canada with Network Meeting in Washington, DC, US |
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The schedule for the 14th IIMHL Leadership Exchange included visitors hosting colleagues in the US and Canada on the 9th and10th of September, 627 in total (not all attended the Network Meeting). On 11th September people travelled to the Network Meeting in Washington, DC. This meeting commenced on 12th September and ended on the 13th of September.
| SUMMARY |
The IIMHL Leadership Exchange has gained in popularity as a quality improvement process as evidenced by the increase in numbers attending.
Leaders in the participating countries have forged strong links with many groups collaborating on joint work aimed at improving mental health services for those people who use them.