The National Center for Experience-Based Competence in Mental Health, established in 2006, functions as a competence center with a focus on experience-based knowledge in the field of mental health and substance abuse. The center was established as a three-year project under the Escalation Plan for Mental Health, and has since developed to have a clear social mission, with earmarking in the state budget and an operating agreement with the Directorate of Health.
The center works to collect and disseminate experiences from users and relatives, and emphasizes the importance of user participation and relative participation in the health care system. Through courses and free resources, they seek to improve cooperation with relatives, as well as to target decision-makers and service providers. The center aims to contribute to sustainable health services by integrating experience-based competence in the development of mental health work.