Mental Health – Main Priority for the EU
This article is created for the project “Efivos in Europe”
Authors: Yana Vasileva, Elitsa Shindarska
Mental health has long been recognized as a human right. More and more Europeans are experiencing mental health issues, which is why the EU is working on more successful policies in the field of mental health and the prevention of mental illnesses.
As early as 2008, at the “Together for Mental Health and Well-being” conference, the Member States adopted the “European Pact for Mental Health and Well-being,” recognizing the importance and value of mental health for the EU and each country that is a member of it.
This pact defines 5 priority areas for which the European Union commits to taking action:
1. Prevention of depression and suicide – includes measures such as improving the training of healthcare professionals and key actors in the field of mental health in the social sector; reducing risk factors that could lead to suicidal behavior (such as alcoholism, drug addiction, social exclusion, depression, and stress); introducing support mechanisms in the form of helplines for individuals who have attempted suicide, as well as for people with mental health problems triggered by the death of a close person.
2. Mental health of young people and in the educational system
Here there are measures aimed at promoting mental health among young people and in the educational system, including:
- Providing programs to enhance parenting skills;
- Training healthcare, educational, and other professionals related to mental health and well-being;
- Incorporating socially relevant issues into school and extracurricular activities, as well as into school and preschool culture;
- Implementing programs to prevent bullying, violence against young people, and the risk of social exclusion among youth;
- Encouraging young people’s participation in the fields of education, culture, sports, and employment.
3. Mental health of the elderly – among the measures in this area are: encouraging elderly to actively participate in public life by promoting physical activity and providing opportunities for learning; flexible pension schemes that allow the older population to continue working after retirement; medical or social care for elderly and support for those providing such care.
4. Mental health in the workplace – one of the main priorities here is the implementation of mental health and well-being programs, including risk assessment and prevention programs for situations that could have harmful effects on the mental health of employees (such as stress, workplace violence or abuse, alcoholism, and drug addiction).
5. Combating stigma and social exclusion – support, campaigns, and actions against stigmatization by the media, schools, and workplaces aimed at promoting the integration of individuals suffering from mental disorders; introduction of mental health services, placing the individual at the center of care; encouraging social integration of individuals with mental disorders through easier access to their workplaces, training, and adapted programs; bringing together people affected by mental disorders, their families, and caregivers through various policies.
Improving mental health is unquestionably a social and economic necessity for the EU and its Member States. That’s why in November 2023, the European Union issued a document urging the Member States to develop action plans or strategies that apply an intersectoral approach to mental health. Here are the main priorities outlined in it:
- Increased accessibility and better quality of care for people with mental health issues.
- Prevention, early detection, and care for individuals with suicidal behavior.
- Promotion of measures to preserve mental health in the workplace and in education.
- Combating stigmatization and discrimination against people with mental disorders.
- Measures to address loneliness among vulnerable groups.
- Comprehensive approach to the prevention and treatment of mental disorders, etc.
And so, it is more than evident that the EU stands behind the position that every European citizen should have timely, appropriate, and swift access to support regarding mental health. The EU develops policies and measures to promote integrated mental health, prevention, and support at local, regional, national, and European levels.
The article was created as part of the CERV Efivos project in Europe. EFIVOS II program is funded by the European Commission (CERV), with partners Network Children’s Rights (Greece), CIP (Cyprus), HESED (Bulgaria), GEYC (Romania), Dedalus (Italy), Pacto Verde (Spain), Crossing Borders (Denmark).The support of the European Commission for the preparation of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the content. The publication reflects only the views of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use of the information contained therein.
