Kyriakides announces EU allocation of €11M to bridge mental health gaps

In a recent announcement coinciding with European Mental Health Week, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides revealed a significant commitment from the €4 billion eu4health programme. The €11 million investment aims to address mental health deficiencies and bolster capacity in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).

Kyriakides emphasized the equivalence of mental and physical health within the broader spectrum of overall well-being, reiterating a fundamental principle outlined in the EU's mental health strategy unveiled in June 2023. Recognizing the crucial role of investment at both EU and member state levels in providing adequate support for mental health, Kyriakides outlined the allocation of €11 million from the eu4health programme towards a new initiative focused on identifying shortcomings and enhancing capabilities.

This initiative will see collaboration with the European arm of the World Health Organization to compile a report highlighting national needs, challenges, and barriers, which will serve as a foundation for policy discussions and capacity-building efforts across EU countries.

Acknowledging the strains on healthcare professionals, Kyriakides highlighted the launch of the EU-PROMENS project, funded with €9 million, which encompasses a diverse training program targeting healthcare professionals, educators, social workers, and personnel in correctional facilities. This initiative aims to foster an integrated approach to mental health by training approximately 120 professionals from 30 countries, including Ukraine.

In light of recent global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, climate change, escalating energy costs, and economic instability, Kyriakides underscored the compounded mental health impacts on vulnerable populations. With over half of EU residents deemed at risk of depression in 2022, she emphasized the urgency of a comprehensive approach to mental health, focused on destigmatization and proactive support.

The EU Commission is actively collaborating with national authorities to devise guidelines addressing stigmatization and discrimination while documenting exemplary practices from across the EU to inform future initiatives. This concerted effort aims to foster greater understanding, acceptance, and timely interventions to promote mental well-being for all citizens.

[With information sourced from CNA]