The European Commission marked World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2023, with a half-day high-level conference in Brussels. The event, hosted by Stella Kyriakides, the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, served as a platform to raise awareness of the European Commission’s new comprehensive approach to mental health.
The conference gathered hundreds of representatives from the EU institutions, national governments, international organizations, and various stakeholders. The goal was to highlight the importance of prioritizing mental health, listen to experts and individuals with lived experiences, and exchange knowledge on best practices in the field.
The central themes of the conference included:
Mental Health Across All Policies: Recognizing mental health as an integral part of public health and emphasizing its consideration in various policy areas.
Promotion & Prevention: Focusing on strategies to promote and prevent mental health issues.
Equal Access for All: Ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, has equal access to mental health services and support.
The European Commission has been supporting actions and projects aimed at enhancing mental health in the EU and beyond over the last 25 years. This commitment aligns with the newly published comprehensive approach to mental health, emphasizing the importance of sound mental health for all.
