Mental health in Hungary - what role for Europe?

After having clarified how mental health takes part in a public health framework, Dorota Sienkiewicz stressed that mental health and well-being should be given more recognition and priority at European and national levels, since:

 one in four Europeans experience a significant episode of mental illness during their lifetime, and these figures are expected to increase;

 Hungary, alongside other Central and Eastern European countries, experiences high incidence rates of depression and suicide, alcohol and drugs abuse;

 in Hungary and CEE, there is a relatively high institutionalisation yet weak out-patient and civil society initiatives in the field of mental health - support given tends to be state-directed;

 due to chronic, long-term and hidden burdens of mental health problems, health costs account up to 20% of the total burden of ill-health in Europe;

 mental health problems hamper all aspects of social, educational, justice and health care systems; mental health problems are interwoven in a vicious cycle of poverty and lost opportunities that already begins in childhood and persists throughout the lifecourse;

 last but not least, socio-economic-cultural factors in the CEE region are different than in other EU regions and therefore there is a need for specific tailor-made interventions.

She continued by highlighting the added value of Europe in the field and mentioned more particularly the European Pact for Mental Health and Well-being.

Launched under the Slovenian EU Presidency in 2008, the Pact focuses on five priority areas, which are:

1. Prevention of depression and suicide,

2. Mental health in youth and education,

3. Mental health in workplace setting,

4. Mental health of older people, and

5. Combating stigma and discrimination.

EPHA related articles

 Formal launch of the European Parliament Interest Group on Mental Health
 AGE Platform Europe issues position on mental health among older people
 New focus on Europe’s mental health
 A Human Right’s Perspective on Poverty and Mental Health in the European Union
 “Promotion of Mental Health and Well-being of Children and Young People – Making it happen”
 *UPDATED* Promoting mental health at EU level: The Commission consults the civil society