MEPs call for a long-term European strategy on mental health

Improve access to mental health services in the EU, especially for vulnerable groups

Better awareness raising and communication needed to destigmatise mental health

Over 150 million Europeans estimated to be living with a mental health condition

MEPs adopted their recommendations on prioritising mental health, as an integral part of a person’s health, in EU and national policies.

On Tuesday, Parliament adopted its report on mental health with 482 votes in favour, 94 against and 32 abstentions.

MEPs call on the Commission to draw up a long-term, comprehensive and integrated EU Mental Health Strategy, building on its recent communication. Member states should develop corresponding national strategies with clear timelines, adequate budgets, concrete targets and indicators to monitor progress.

Promoting mental health for all, with focus on vulnerable groups in society

MEPs say mental health and well-being is shaped by a combination of socio-economic, environmental, biological and genetic factors, and that any person at any point in their life can become more susceptible to poorer mental health. A “mental-health-in-all-policies approach” is needed, they add, to prevent, address and mitigate the impact of mental health conditions.

The report calls on member states to prioritise and improve access to mental health services for vulnerable groups, such as children, adolescents, young adults, LGBTQIA+ persons, patients with chronic conditions and disabilities, elderly people, migrants and ethnic minorities.

Tackling discrimination, stigma and social exclusion

With mental health still stigmatised, MEPs argue there is an urgent need to develop and implement information campaigns, raise awareness and promote open discussions of mental health conditions.

They call on the Commission and EU governments to promote initiatives to combat stigma, exclusion and discrimination of people with mental health conditions, with the involvement of communities, public figures, politicians, public institutions, governments and people with lived experience.

Improving accessibility of mental health services

MEPs insist that all EU citizens must have access to the full range of quality mental health services, without financial and administrative hardship. They highlight the need to ensure further investment in public health and to address mental health workforce shortages and appropriate training.

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Rapporteur Sara Cerdas (S&D, PT) said: "Every one in two people in the EU live with or have experienced depression or anxiety. Almost half of young people say they do not have the mental health care they need, and suicide is the second cause of death in young people. People with chronic diseases and disabled people, LGBTQIA+ community, women, migrants, people experiencing homelessness and others are particularly vulnerable. It is an EU imperative - individual one and social - to deal with this, requiring major societal transformations. We are calling for the creation of the European Year of Mental Health, a European mental health strategy, and more funding through a ‘mission’ for Mental Health in the Horizon Europe program. It is time to prioritise, time to destigmatise, and time to invest in mental health."

Background

On 7 June 2023, the Commission adopted the Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health. It introduces 20 flagship initiatives and a holistic approach to mental health, based on adequate and effective prevention, access to high quality and affordable mental healthcare and treatment, and reintegration into society after recovery.