Mental health
EU Mental Health Initiative - Good Intention or toothless Initiative?
UM – 06/2023
On 7 June, the European Commission
presented its approach
for a "comprehensive strategy for mental health". An already
leaked draft from the beginning of May suggested that too high expectations are
inappropriate. This has been confirmed. The Commission
Notification COM(2023) 298 final only shows good intentions by proposing an
approach to mental health challenges in society as a whole. This approach also
aims to put mental health on a par with physical health as a first step. The
European Commission wants to provide EUR 1.23 billion for this.
Vulnerable groups
Today, one in six people in the European
Union (EU) suffers from mental health problems. The situation has been
aggravated by the crises of the past years. The coronavirus pandemic and the
ensuing lockdowns had given a whole generation of children and young people a
series of missed opportunities. Refugees and migrants encounter foreign
cultures and reservations; often enough with traumatic experiences. Senior
citizens suffer from loneliness in increasing numbers. The energy crisis and
inflation create existential fears, climate change creates a feeling of lack of
perspective among young people. It is important to pay special attention to
these vulnerable groups.
Not everything is new
The European Commission's approach can be
implemented by three core principles: prevention, access to treatment and
reintegration after recovery. Measures are to be taken or supported at EU level
and in the Member States via 20 lighthouse initiatives. Proposals range from
announcements to supporting Member State action and promoting best practice
exchange to building networks. Some of this relates to existing measures, such
as the right to disconnect from online work. However, the generally noticeable
reluctance to propose more far-reaching measures can also be explained by the
primary responsibility of the Member States for health and healthcare policy.
More transparency for better care
During the press conference to present the
new EU initiative, Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President and Commissioner for the
European Way of Life, highlighted two key motives: On the one hand, the
destigmatisation of mental problems. The European Commission intends to use EUR
18 million from the EU4Health programme for this purpose, mainly to support
Member States in identifying and implementing best practices, communication
activities and stakeholder project work. On the other, the important access to
treatment is to be promoted by creating transparency about the assistance
structures on site. "Everyone in need of help should know who to turn
to," said Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides. Then he or she would also
be helped. Given the reality of care in most Member States, this view is
unlikely to be shared by all. Eurocadres,
the European federation of trade unions representing professional and
managerial staff, speaks of a "toothless initiative that is doomed to
fail".