In a significant move to prioritize mental health at the heart of European policy-making, GAMIAN-Europe has officially released its Manifesto, calling on Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to champion the establishment of a European Parliament Intergroup on Mental Health. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and amidst the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, the significance of robust mental health support systems has never been more evident. These challenges transcend individual and family spheres, affecting societal and economic structures at their core, often intertwined with issues of unemployment, education disparities, and low income.
Despite the growing awareness and recognition of mental health’s importance, the European Union’s response, as outlined in the European Commission’s recent “Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health“, while a step in the right direction, lacks the ambition and concrete measures necessary to address the multifaceted nature of mental health issues. This gap underscores the critical need for a dedicated and comprehensive EU Mental Health Strategy, echoing the calls from the EPSCO Council in 2019 and the European Parliament’s previous term.
GAMIAN-Europe, representing individuals living with mental ill-health, advocates for a strategy that encompasses the entire spectrum of mental health conditions, adopting a holistic biopsychosocial model. This approach should not only focus on treatment but also emphasize prevention, promotion, care, and cure, backed by national action programs to ensure effective implementation across member states.
The European Parliament holds a vital role in elevating mental health on the EU agenda and ensuring the development of a strategy that meets the current and future needs of its citizens. To this end, GAMIAN-Europe urges Members of the European Parliament to support the formation of a European Parliament Intergroup on Mental Health. This intergroup would serve as a pivotal platform for advocating EU-level mental health initiatives, fostering collaboration among patients, carers, health professionals, and service providers, and ultimately strengthening mental health policies and practices across the Union.
By supporting the establishment of a dedicated Intergroup on Mental Health, MEPs can ensure mental health is given the attention and resources it deserves, paving the way for a healthier, more resilient Europe.
For the detailed version of our Manifesto, we encourage you to look at: https://bit.ly/3wsjarl
Stay connected with us through social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and keep posted on the last advocacy updates.