European Parliament Elections 2024:
EFPA Manifesto for Mental Health
The European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA)
calls on the 2024-2029 European Parliament to prioritise:
The development of the Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health into an integrated EU Mental Health Strategy, providing the scaffolding that coordinates stakeholders´ inputs and implements mental health considerations in all policies.
to promote mental health and well-being, and to recognise the crucial role of equal access to mental health support. EU Year for Mental HealthA dedicated.
The establishment of a dedicated European Parliament Intergroup on Mental Health, ensuring an effective platform for cooperative stakeholder dialogue, policy monitoring and targeted advocacy.
Founded in 1981, the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA) is the European umbrella organisation for national psychologists’ associations. EFPA develops psychology education, science, and professional practice, and contributes psychological theory and practice to quality of life including health and wellbeing of people living in Europe. EFPA brings together some 300,000 psychologists through its Full Members. EFPA is an engaged stakeholder in the current EU-level activities and discussions surrounding mental health.
Mental health is crucial: to individuals, their families, their communities, and society as a whole.
The need to step-up attention and resources actively to safeguard and protect mental health has never been more apparent. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the current war in Ukraine, the cost-of-living crisis, and anxieties and worries related to the effects of climate change all serve to underline the importance of good mental health and the urgent need for continued specific and concrete action. As well as working with severe and enduring mental ill-health, psychologists are working to support mental wellbeing in communities in primary care, in schools, and in workplaces such as in occupational health.
The EU institutions recognise the need for action on mental health.
Last year, the European Parliament, EPSCO Council, and European Commission all took specific initiatives in the area of mental health. While these announcements are welcome, comprehensive yet targeted action will be needed in implementation if mental health is to be promoted, mental ill health to be prevented, and if those currently living with a mental health difficulty are to have access to suitable quality care. For psychologists, this quality necessitates both training and regulation as a health profession to a consistent standard across the EU. Active input from relevant stakeholders will be indispensable to make sure that EU action will have value and a positive impact on the ground.
Awareness of the importance of mental health is strong and on the rise in society and in the EU institutions.
So is recognition of the need for psychological support.
EFPA has identified seven priorities on mental health to exploit the full potential of available tools and guide future EU-level action:
1. An explicit EU commitment to mental health in all policies
A focus on mental health and its social determinants should feature in all EU policies. It should address the foundations of development in childhood and across the lifespan. It should be properly funded, resourced and measured
2. Mental health as a core part of societal crises responses
Mental health should be a core part of any response to current and future societal crises.
3. Community-oriented mental health services
WHO’s call for more community-oriented mental health services should be supported. Services should focus on providing suitable support for those who need it, in particular to vulnerable groups.
4. Mental wellbeing in the workplace
Mental health in the workplace should be a priority, as demonstrated by recent EU funded research
5. The impact of climate change on mental health
Support programmes —for children and young people especially— should be introduced in settings such as schools.
6. Mental health training standards and regulation
Mental health practitioners´ training should be based on a recognised standard, properly funded, and regulated in the EU.
7. Equality of access to mental health including digitalisation
Citizens should be engaged as partners, having equal access to appropriate, high-quality mental health care, be it digital or physical contexts.
EFPA calls on the European Parliament to support this Manifesto and welcomes the opportunity to work closely with MEPs to ensure specific action to support mental health and well-being in the broadest sense.
For more information:
Isane Aparicio, EFPA Executive Director: isane.aparicio@efpa.eu
www.efpa.eu
Our mailing address is:
EFPA (European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations)
Grasmarkt 105/39
Brussels 1000
Belgium
Copyright © 2024 EFPA (European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations), All rights reserved.
