WHO/Europe recently launched a new flagship programme on mental health. The initiative will bring together a broad coalition of mental health leaders, champions, service users and other partners to improve mental health policies and practices across the region.
Over 110 million people – over 10% of the population – are living with a mental health condition in Europe. The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed substantially to mental health challenges in the region through fear and uncertainty, especially for frontline health-care workers and for those suffering from existing conditions.
The flagship is part of a more concerted effort to secure better mental health for all, both through intensified country support and inter-country initiatives at the regional and global levels.
A core components of the initiative is challenging stigma and discrimination by improving mental health awareness and literacy among the public, service providers and decision-makers.
Another key pillar is enhancing access to person-centred, rights-based mental health care in communities to expedite progress towards universal health coverage for people with mental health conditions.
The flagship will encourage efforts and investments to relocate care away from institutions and towards community services, including through the integration of mental health into primary health care and other priority programmes such as adolescent health and noncommunicable diseases.
Through collaboration with a strong coalition of partner Organizations and citizens, WHO/Europe looks forward to building a more positive approach to, and future for, mental health across the Region.