A WHO European Ministerial Conference on Mental Health "Facing the Challenges, Building Solutions" was held in Helsinki on 12-15 January 2005.
Organised in partnership with the European Union and the Council of Europe, it brought together health ministers from 52 countries of the WHO European Region to agree on effective mental health policies and actions to be taken.
Mental health problems constitute the greatest burden of disease after cardiovascular diseases in Europe, and account for almost 40% of years lived with disability as a result of chronic disease.
One in four Europeans will have a mental health issue at some time in their lives and more people commit suicide in the EU than suffer car accidents or murder. However, service provision is often inadequate and does not give people the help that they need.
The economic cost of mental health problems in the EU is conservatively estimated to be 3-4% of the gross national product but expenditure on mental health constitutes on average only 5.8% of overall health expenditure.
The Helsinki Conference is the first time that health ministers in Europe committed to mainstream action on mental health as part of their public health policies.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Markos Kyprianou, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, has called mental illness "Europe’s unseen killer" and emphasised his determination to put the issue higher on the EU agenda.
The Conference’s results - a "Mental Health Declaration for Europe" and an accompanying Action Plan, will drive the policy agenda on mental health for the coming years.
The action plan is drawn up round 12 priority areas:
Promotion of mental well-being
Incorporation of mental health as a vital part of public health policy
Reduction of stigma and discrimination
Tailoring of services to different stages of life
Prevention of mental ill health and suicide
Access to good primary care
Effective care in the community
Partnerships across sectors
Competent workforce
Effective information systems
Adequate and fair funding
New evidence.
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