Towards a comprehensive European Mental Health Strategy
12.7.2021
Question for written answer E-003519/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos (Renew), Véronique Trillet-Lenoir (Renew), Nils Torvalds (Renew), Sophia in 't Veld (Renew), Frédérique Ries (Renew), Hilde Vautmans (Renew), Michal Šimečka (Renew), Ilhan Kyuchyuk (Renew), Olivier Chastel (Renew), Atidzhe Alieva-Veli (Renew), Petras Auštrevičius (Renew), Alin Mituța (Renew), Adrián Vázquez Lázara (Renew), Luis Garicano (Renew), Susana Solís Pérez (Renew), Jordi Cañas (Renew), Maite Pagazaurtundúa (Renew), Javier Nart (Renew), Karin Karlsbro (Renew), Irena Joveva (Renew), Samira Rafaela (Renew), Barry Andrews (Renew), Nicolae Ştefănuță (Renew), Karen Melchior (Renew)
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 84 million people were affected by mental illness in the EU, a number which has undoubtedly increased since. The pandemic and subsequent economic crisis have placed a great burden on individuals and their mental well-being, as evidenced by the higher rates of stress, anxiety and depression. The disruptions to healthcare systems have significantly contributed to the decline in mental health, and women, young people, people in lower-income groups and people living with psychosocial disabilities are among those who have been disproportionately affected.
The mental health challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic is getting more and more complex, and without urgent action by the EU and its Member States, it will continue to have immediate and long-term consequences, including on healthcare systems. The Council of Ministers called for the development of a comprehensive European Mental Health Strategy in 2019, as did Parliament in its 2020 resolution on the EU’s public health strategy post-COVID-19, yet little progress has been made since.
- 1.When will the Commission present a comprehensive, long-term and human rights-compliant European Mental Health Strategy?
- 2.How will it minimise disparities between Member States in terms of access, treatment, and the affordability of mental health services?
- 3.How will it support the increasing need for the prevention of mental illness?