On February 4, 2006, The European Forum for ECT (EFFECT) was inaugurated at the University Psychiatric Center-Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, campus Kortenberg in Belgium. An executive board was elected with Tom G. Bolwig (Denmark) as President, Björn Wahlund (Sweden) as Chairman, King Han Kho (The Netherlands) as Secretary, and Pascal Sienaert (Belgium) as Treasurer.

EFFECT aims to promote access to safe and effective ECT when appropriate for patients across Europe.

The association further aims

• to promote ECT research
• to combat the stigma associated with ECT
• to educate mental health and other professionals about ECT and its use
• to inform the general public about ECT and its use
• to work towards a high standard of ECT practice across Europe and to develop guidelines

Executive Board
 

• Tom Bolwig (Denmark) – President 5
• Susan Benbow (The United Kingdom) – Chair 11
• King Han Kho (The Netherlands) – Secretary 13
• Pascal Sienaert (Belgium) – Treasurer 4