Mesures to improve mental health

Background:

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, data indicated that approximately 84 million individuals (one in six people) in the European Union were affected by mental illness. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health has further deteriorated across the board. Among the working-age population, around 5% faced significant needs arising from mental health conditions, while an additional 15% experienced moderate mental health needs, resulting in reduced employment opportunities, productivity and wages. Mental health and behavioural disorders account for roughly 4% of annual deaths in Europe, making them the second most prevalent cause of death among young individuals.

Available data reveal a significant gap in mental health strategies, policies and legislation, and there are large differences in health care spending across the EU. The EESC is of the view that mental health should be recognised in all Member States as an integral component of health, requiring an adequate degree of attention and a coordinated and structured response. It is important to lift coercion, stigma, segregation and discrimination around mental health conditions and to secure adequate funding so that mental health services and treatments are available to all.

Key points:

In the opinion, the EESC:

• encourages reforming EU health systems for mental health by focusing on prevention, early detection, and community-based care;
• recommends that the EU Comprehensive Plan on Mental Health is swiftly transposed in an EU Mental Health Strategy, which has a timeframe, funding, defined responsibilities and progress indicators. The EESC highlights the importance of considering the influence of socio-economic and environmental factors on mental health within the European Semester process and emphasises the need for increased investments in the health sector as part of National Recovery and Resilience Plans;
• supports the development of person-centred mental health care systems that empower individuals and promote their active involvement in their own recovery, aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The EESC stresses the urgent need for inclusive care that caters to the specific requirements of vulnerable groups.

The text of the draft opinion can be found here.

Additional information

Section: Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC)

Opinion number: SOC/760

Opinion type: Exploratory opinion at the request of the Spanish Presidency

Rapporteur: Milena ANGELOVA (Employers' Group - BG)

Co-rapporteur: Ivan KOKALOV (Workers' Group – BG)

Reference: Letter from the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU, 08/12/2022

Date of adoption by section: 21/06/2023

Result of the vote: 68 in favour / 0 against / 0 abstentions

Date of adoption in plenary: 12/07/2023

Result of the vote:

Contacts:

Press officer:  Laura Lui

Tel.:     00 32 2 546 9189

email:  laurairena.lui@eesc.europa.eu

Administrator: Valeria Atzori

Tel.:     00 32 2 546 8774

email:  Valeria.Atzori@eesc.europa.eu