We, participants in the EU high-level conference "Together for Mental Health and Well-being", Brussels, 13 June 2008, acknowledge the importance and relevance of mental health and well-being for the European Union, its Member States, stakeholders and citizens.
I. We recognise that: -Mental health is a human right. It enables citizens to enjoy well-being, quality of life and health. It promotes learning, working and participation in society.
-The level of mental health and well-being in the population is a key resource for the success of the EU as a knowledge-based society and economy. It is an important factor for the realisation of the objectives of the Lisbon strategy, on growth and jobs, social cohesion and sustainable development.
-Mental disorders are on the rise in the EU. Today, almost 50 million citizens (about 11% of the population) are estimated to experience mental disorders, with women and men developing and exhibiting different symptoms. Depression is already the most prevalent health problem in many EU-Member States.
-Suicide remains a major cause of death. In the EU, there are about 58,000 suicides per year of which ¾ are committed by men. Eight Member States are amongst the fifteen countries with the highest male suicide rates in the world.
-Mental disorders and suicide cause immense suffering for individuals, families and communities, and mental disorders are major cause of disability. They put pressure on health, educational, economic, labour market and social welfare systems across the EU.
-Complementary action and a combined effort at EU-level can help Member States tackle these challenges by promoting good mental health and wellbeing in the population, strengthening preventive action, and providing support to people who experience mental health problems and their families, further to the measures which Member States undertake through health and social services and medical care.
II. We agree that: -There is a need for a decisive political step to make mental health and wellbeing a key priority.
-Action for mental health and well-being at EU-level needs to be developed by involving the relevant policy makers and stakeholders, including those from the health, education, social and justice sectors, social partners, as well as civil society organisations and people who have experienced mental health problems.
-The mental health and well-being of citizens and groups, including all age groups, different genders and ethnic origins needs to be promoted based on targeted interventions that take into account and are sensitive to the diversity of the European population.
-There is a need to improve the knowledge base on mental health: by collecting data on the state of mental health in the population and by commissioning research into the epidemiology, causes, determinants and implications of mental health and ill-health, and the possibilities for interventions and best practices in and outside the health and social sectors.
III. We call for action in five priority areas: 1. Prevention of Depression and Suicide Depression is one of the most common and serious mental disorders and a leading risk factor for suicidal behaviour. Every 9 minutes a citizen dies as a consequence of suicide in the EU. The number of suicide attempts is estimated to be ten times higher. Reported rates of suicide in Member States differ by a factor 12.
-Improve the training of health professionals and key actors within the social sector on mental health; -Restrict access to potential means for suicide; -Take measures to raise mental health awareness in the general public, among health professionals and other relevant sectors; -Take measures to reduce risk factors for suicide such as excessive drinking, drug abuse and social exclusion, depression and stress; -Provide support mechanisms after suicide attempts and for those bereaved by suicide. 2. Mental Health in Youth and Education The foundation of life-long mental health is laid in the early years. Up to 50% of mental disorders have their onset during adolescence. Mental health problems can be identified in between 10% and 20% of young people, with higher rates among disadvantaged population groups.
innovation in the EU. The pace and nature of work is changing, leading to pressures on mental health and well-being. Action is needed to tackle the steady increase in work absenteeism and incapacity, and to utilize the unused potential for improving productivity that is linked to stress and mental disorders. The workplace plays a central role in the social inclusion of people with mental health problems.
-Improve work organisation, organisational cultures and leadership practices to promote mental well-being at work, including the reconciliation of work and family life; -Implement mental health and well-being programmes with risk assessment and prevention programmes for situations that can cause adverse effects on the mental health of workers (stress, abusive behaviour such as violence or harassment at work, alcohol, drugs) and early intervention schemes at workplaces; -Provide measures to support the recruitment, retention or return to work of people with mental health problems or disorders. 4. Mental Health of Older People The EU-population is ageing. Old age can bring with it certain risk factors for mental health and well-being, such as the loss of social support from families and friends and the emergence of physical or neuropsychiatric illness, such as dementia. Suicide rates are high in older people. Promoting healthy and active ageing is one of the EU's key policy objectives.
-Promote the active participation of older people in community life, including the promotion of their physical activity and educational opportunities; -Develop flexible retirement schemes which allow older people to remain at work longer on a full-time or part-time basis; -Provide measures to promote mental health and well-being among older people receiving care (medical and/or social) in both community and institutional settings. 5. Combating Stigma and Social Exclusion Stigma and social exclusion are both risk factors and consequences of mental disorders, which may create major barriers to help-seeking and recovery.
-Promote active inclusion of people with mental health problems in society, including improvement of their access to appropriate employment, training and educational opportunities; -Involve people with mental health problems and their families and carers in relevant policy and decision making processes. IV. We launch the European Pact for Mental Health and Well-being: The Pact recognises that primary responsibility for action in this area rests with Member States. However, the Pact builds on the EU's potential to inform, promote best practice and encourage actions by Member States and stakeholders and help address common challenges and tackle health inequalities.
The reference context for the Pact is the EU-policy acquis on mental health and well-being that has emerged through initiatives across Community policies over the past years, together with the commitments which Member States' Ministers of Health made under the WHO Mental Health Declaration for Europe of 2005.
The Pact brings together European institutions, Member States, stakeholders from relevant sectors, including people at risk of exclusion for mental health reasons, and the research community to support and promote mental health and well-being. It is a reflection of their commitment to a longer-term process of exchange, cooperation and coordination on key challenges.
The Pact should facilitate the monitoring of trends and activities in Member States and among stakeholders. Based on European best practice, it should help deliver recommendations for action for progress in addressing its priority themes.
-The Presidency to inform the Council of Ministers of the proceedings and outcomes of this conference.