ECT is the most efficacious biological treatment for the most severe psychiatric disorders. In several European countries, however, psychiatrists and patients still struggle with the stigmatzing negative image of ECT. To ensure that patients and service users across Europe have access to safe and effective ECT when appropriate, the European Forum for ECT was founded.

In November 2005 Björn Wahlund (SE), Pascal Sienaert (BE) and King Han Kho (NL) decided to organize the EFFECT founding meeting. Several ECT psychiatrists across Europe were invited to join this meeting which took place in Leuven, Belgium, from 3-5 February 2006.

On February 4, 2006, The European Forum for ECT was inaugurated at the University Psychiatric Center – KU Leuven, campus Kortenberg in Belgium. An executive board was elected with Tom G. Bolwig (DK) as President, Björn Wahlund (SE) as Chairman, King Han Kho (NL) as Secretary, and Pascal Sienaert (BE) as Treasurer. Since then, EFFECT brought together clinicians and researchers to improve the practice of ECT, and to reduce its stigma .