The European Commission announced today, Wednesday, that it will adopt a new comprehensive approach to mental health, thus allocating 1.23 billion euros (regarding 1.3 billion US dollars) for initiatives in this context in the European Union, pledging to make mental health one of the “pillars of health policy.”

“Today (yesterday) marks a new beginning for a comprehensive and preventive approach to mental health at EU level that serves many stakeholders,” said Stella Kyriakides, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety. “We need to remove stigma and discrimination so that people in need can get the support they need,” she added.

And while Kyriakides indicated that “it is possible that we may be unwell,” she stressed that “it is our duty to ensure that everyone who requests help can get it.”

In a related context, the Vice-President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas, described mental health problems as a “silent epidemic”.

The Commission stated that mental health problems were already affecting regarding 84 million people before the Corona epidemic crisis, at an economic cost estimated at regarding 600 billion euros (regarding $ 645 billion) annually, equivalent to four percent of the bloc’s gross domestic product.

The Commission indicated that the situation worsened following the outbreak of the Corona epidemic, the outbreak of war in Ukraine, concern regarding climate change, and the increase in the cost of living in light of the high inflation. The EU’s efforts will focus on adequate and effective prevention, the provision of high-quality and affordable mental health care, and reintegration into society following recovery.

(Archyde.com)