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European Psychiatric Association

EPA

With active individual members in as many as 88 countries and 44 National Society/Association Members who represent over 78,000 European psychiatrists, the European Psychiatric Association (EPA) is the main association representing psychiatry in Europe.

Lobbying Activity

Response to A comprehensive approach to mental health

14 Feb 2023

Mental illnesses are increasing in Europe, and worldwide. Affecting almost 25% of the European population every year, they are among the leading causes of disability and can have a detrimental impact on individuals and families in all areas of life. There is still stigma around mental disorders, and this is compounded by insufficient levels of mental health literacy. In addition to this, mental disorders are among the main high-burden and under-researched conditions in the EU. When looking at the contemporary context, human beings are vulnerable to acute stress, but more so at the moment due to stress related to long-standing burdensome events like the Covid-19 pandemic, international conflicts and the effects of climate change. There is an urgent need for an effective and coordinated approach on mental health and mental health care. The European Psychiatric Association (EPA) calls for the following main actions: a) fostering research on mental health and allocating adequate resources at EU level to improve mental disorders prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. There are many Mental Health Research Centres of excellence in Europe and with the help of its 44 National Psychiatric Associations (NPAs) members, the EPA is currently gathering information on these Centres, focusing on translational research and teaching to inform and facilitate engagement with mental health research moving forward. b) promoting initiatives to raise awareness on the importance of mental health care and to reduce stigma at EU-level. c) fostering initiatives aimed at providing high-quality harmonised training for mental health professionals and non-mental health professionals. d) creating favourable conditions for improving access to mental health care. e) allocating financial resources for translational research in mental disorders and accepting the fact that not enough money is used for research in an area with one of the highest levels of burden to humankind. The EPA strives to contribute to the improvement of care for the mentally ill, as well as the development of professional excellence, and it also commits to collaborate with EU associations and institutions to make this happen.
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Meeting with Xavier Prats Monné (Director-General Health and Food Safety)

1 Apr 2016 · Discussion on the improving of mental health care policies in Europe