Horizon Europe and mental health research

31.1.2019

Question for written answer E-000551-19
to the Commission
Rule 130
Nessa Childers (S&D) , Marian Harkin (ALDE) , Tomáš Zdechovský (PPE) , Jean Lambert (Verts/ALE) , Cristian-Silviu Buşoi (PPE)

Mental health is increasingly recognised as one of the major current and future health challenges. Some 11% of the EU population are affected by mental ill-health every year. The proportion of national health budgets devoted to mental health ranges from 4% to 18% across the EU. Mental ill-health goes hand in hand with substantial stigmas, costs and consequences that impact individuals, families and carers, health and social systems, society and the economy.

Clearly, there is an obvious need to address mental health conditions and promote good mental health in the most effective way across the EU. More research is required to identify the best possible measures to promote mental health and ensure early diagnoses, effective management and person-centred care. The FP7-funded ROAMER project has already identified the main topics for such research.

Can the Commission therefore state whether Horizon Europe will take account of the ROAMER research roadmap and address mental health in all its relevant aspects? How does Horizon Europe envisage facilitating the input from mental health stakeholders in future EU-funded mental health research?