A silent crisis is spreading across Europe: Mental health issues, particularly among young people, are rising at an alarming rate. Social pressures, economic uncertainty and the mental toll of digital life are converging to create a generation-wide health emergency. As both a physician and a policymaker, I believe it’s time we elevate mental health to the very top of the European political agenda.
In recent years, we’ve taken some encouraging steps. The European Commission’s 2023 communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health, along with an 3 from the European Parliament, provided the foundations. But these must be built upon.
What we now need is a fully developed EU Action Plan on Mental Health, with a strong emphasis on prevention, early intervention and youth support. This must be supported by sustained investment and policy integration across sectors.
My own journey into politics began in the hospital ward. I started my career as a psychiatric resident and later became a surgeon. This gave me firsthand insight into how deeply mental health impacts individuals, families, caregivers and healthcare systems. These experiences shaped my conviction that we must stop separating physical and mental health, and instead take a holistic approach to wellbeing in all areas of policy.
I shared this vision at the 2025 European Psychiatric Association Congress in Madrid where I spoke of the urgent need to embed mental health services across schools, workplaces and primary care.
Help needed for groups across society
We must improve public health literacy and address the growing problem of online misinformation, which distorts understanding and fuels stigma. This is especially critical for our youth. One in three young Europeans now feels alone most of the time, and intentional self-harm remains one of the leading causes of death in this age group.
Throughout my work in the European Parliament, I’ve advocated for a horizontal, cross-sectoral approach to mental health. This means recognising that decisions in housing, education, employment and digital policy can all impact mental wellbeing. We must stop treating mental health as a niche concern confined to clinical settings and start treating it as a vital issue that touches every part of society.
As the shadow rapporteur for the European People's Party group on an upcoming EP report on healthcare workforce shortages, I am particularly focused on the mental toll within our own healthcare systems. Doctors, nurses and carers are facing, chronic stress and burnout all across Europe — all while navigating understaffing and system pressures. We urgently need policies that provide workplace mental health support, safe staffing levels, fair conditions and access to smart digital tools that ease their burdens.
Collaboration needed for an effective response
Innovation must be part of the solution. From telehealth and AI diagnostics to mobile apps supporting emotional regulation or peer connections, we have powerful digital tools at our disposal. But these technologies must be developed and implemented with accessibility, inclusiveness, and real patient needs in mind.
None of this can happen in isolation which is why I work closely with researchers, clinicians, advocacy groups and patients. Through the Mental Health Intergroup in the Parliament, I, together with my colleagues from different political groups, am pushing to mainstream mental health across all areas of EU policy. Progress depends on collaboration across institutions, sectors and borders.
The Mental Health Summit 2025, which I will co-host with MEP Zoltán Tarr at the Parliament on 19-20 May, is an example of these efforts. It will bring together voices from policy, healthcare and culture, placing special emphasis on the role of culture in shaping mental wellbeing. It will promote a holistic, transdisciplinary approach to mental health policy. Experts, patients, artists and policymakers will come together to explore how culture, science and care can work hand in hand to foster a more resilient Europe.
Mental health is not just a healthcare issue. It’s a foundation for economic productivity, social cohesion and democratic participation. If we want a Europe that is resilient, fair and future-ready, we must take mental wellbeing seriously.
Sign up to The Parliament's weekly newsletter
Every Friday our editorial team goes behind the headlines to offer insight and analysis on the key stories driving the EU agenda. Subscribe for free here.