Commission adopts Green Paper on a new strategy for mental health

Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, Markos Kyprianou, declared: 'More than one in four Europeans suffer from mental illness every year, and it can cost our economies up to four per cent of GDP in lost productivity and other social costs. I can think of no other disease that would remain so low profile if such a high percentage of the population were struck by it.'

Mental illness affects over 27 per cent of European adults every year, and is responsible for the majority of the annual 58,000 deaths by suicide, more than the numbers who die from motor vehicle traffic accidents. Mental health levels can have a significant influence on the economic and social welfare of society. As well as the challenges of mental ill health for the health sector, and the implications for the affected citizens and their families, mental illness imposes significant costs on society and its economic, educational, social, criminal and justice systems. Moreover, stigma and discrimination linked to mental disorders undermine fundamental rights.

Until recently, however, other public health concerns have largely overshadowed the importance of mental health. But there is now an increasing interest in the mental health of the EU population, and a strong political commitment for action in this field. With its Green Paper, the Commission has expressed a willingness to address this situation by initiating a wide ranging debate on the issue, aimed at highlighting the importance of mental well-being and examining how best to develop a comprehensive EU strategy on mental health.

According to Commissioner Kyprianou, 'Mental health has been swept under the carpet for too long. It is a crucial component of overall public health, an important factor in societal well-being and a vital part of a competitive economy. The Commission is determined to raise awareness of this problem and to work towards improving the mental health of the EU population as a whole.'

The proposals outlined in the Green Paper are part of the Commission's follow-up to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Ministerial Conference on Mental Health held in Helsinki in January 2005, where the 52 Member States in the WHO European Region and the European Commission endorsed the Mental Health Declaration and Action Plan for Europe which established a framework for concerted action. It invited the European Commission, in partnership with the WHO, to contribute to implementing this framework for action, in line with its competencies and the Council's expectations.

The strategic document outlines the relevance of mental health for some of the EU's strategic policy objectives (prosperity, solidarity and social justice, quality of life of citizens), proposes the development of a strategy on mental health at Community-level and identifies its possible priorities.

The Green Paper on Mental Health proposes three main areas for EU level action:
- opening up a dialogue with Member States to agree on an action plan on mental health;
- launching an EU Platform on Mental Health bringing together a wide range of stakeholders to look at how to integrate mental health into different sectors and EU policies, and how to develop ethical considerations such as fundamental rights of mental illness sufferers;
- building up mental health information resources at EU level, including monitoring trends, collecting data, and identifying best practice.

The European Commission invites European institutions, governments, health professionals, stakeholders in other sectors, civil society including patient organisations, and the research community to communicate their views on this document and the questions raised in it. Contributions to this consultation process should be sent to the Commission by 31 May 2006. The Commission will use this input to draw up a proposal for an EU-wide Mental Health Strategy.

The Commission is currently funding several research projects in areas covered by the Green Paper. The future challenges for Europe with regard to the burden and costs of brain disorders and diseases may be substantial, especially in the light of an ageing population. It is for this reason that the European Union's research programmes are addressing their impact and examining means to tackle their causes and effects.

To access the Green Paper or contribute to the consultation process, please:
click here