Mental health problems negatively affect wellbeing and are caused by a tangle of individual and societal factors. A report published in 2018 found that mental health issues were affecting around 84 million people in the European Union, costing more than €600bn across EU countries. Recent emergencies, including the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis, and inflation have further intensified these problems.
Despite these alarming statistics, mental health discussions often occur in isolation, missing the opportunity for a comprehensive approach that would not only be more ethical but also cost-effective.
In June 2023, the European Commission launched a Mental Health Communication, an admirable advancement in addressing mental health challenges in the EU. With 20 flagship initiatives and €1.23bn in EU funding, the Commission will support Member States’ efforts to improve their citizens’ mental health. We, the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), find this initiative to be a significant step forward.
However, we see room for improvement, particularly in one of the three core areas of the Communication, namely reintegration after recovery. We agree that reintegration is a critical part of recovery; yet, the current narrative seems to accept social exclusion as a given. We underline the necessity of preventive actions to avoid exclusion from society in the first place.
The Commission has also made a priority of “Helping those most in need”. This approach is admirable, and it mentions specific vulnerable and marginalised groups, including people in rural areas, elderly, LGBTIQ, Roma, and homeless people. However, the flagship initiatives under this priority only cover victims of crime, and young cancer survivors.
We advocate for a more inclusive approach that includes not only the inclusion of target populations in specific policies, but also the enhancement of strategies to actively reach and engage them as key stakeholders in the development of solutions.
The Communication acknowledges the importance of addressing commercial factors for products that directly contribute to unhealthy lifestyles, which in turn worsen mental health problems. However, it's worth noting that the Commission is facing harsh criticism for delaying the approval of key elements of the Food Information to Consumers Regulation, and the European Beating Cancer Plan, which include legislation on unhealthy food and alcohol consumption.
Moreover, it fails to recognise broader socio-economic factors, such as unaffordable housing, which contribute to mental health issues, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach in policymaking.
Facing the urgency of the situation, it is time for Europe to launch its first Mental Health Strategy; a decisive step towards protecting mental wellbeing for all.
In conclusion, alongside our members, Mental Health Europe and the European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless (FEANTSA), we call for the establishment of an ambitious and long-term mental health action plan for Europe.
The plan should focus on structural prevention, inclusion of vulnerable groups, and addressing social and commercial factors influencing mental health, backed by a dedicated budget and concrete commitments from Member States and European bodies.
This plan must be action-driven, featuring clear, measurable targets and objectives, underpinned by a comprehensive set of indicators that go beyond suicide rates to ensure thorough monitoring and accountability.
Facing the urgency of the situation, it is time for Europe to launch its first Mental Health Strategy; a decisive step towards protecting mental wellbeing for all.