EU Commission allocates $1.3 billion to tackle mental health 'silent
epidemic'
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[June 07, 2023]
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission said on Wednesday it
would allocate 1.23 billion euros ($1.3 billion) to mental health
initiatives across the 27-member European Union and make mental health a
pillar of health policy.
"Today marks a new beginning for a comprehensive, prevention-oriented
and multi-stakeholder approach to mental health at EU level," Stella
Kyriakides, EU Commissioner for health and food safety, said in a
statement.
"We need to break down stigma and discrimination so that those in need
can reach out and receive the support they need. It is OK not to be OK,
and it is our duty to ensure that everyone asking for help has access to
it."
The Commission said mental health problems already impacted around 84
million people before the COVID-19 pandemic with an economic cost of
about 600 billion euro a year, or 4% of the bloc's GDP.
The situation has deteriorated since the pandemic with the war in
Ukraine, climate change anxiety and the rising cost of living due to
soaring inflation.
At a press conference, Commission vice-president Margaritis Schinas
called it a "silent epidemic" and said the topic was the last piece in
the European Health Union "puzzle".
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![](../images/060723PIX/health34.jpg)
European flags fly outside the European
Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium March 13, 2023.
REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2017/Jul/22/images/ads/current/rohlfs_lda_072017.png) The EU action will focus on adequate
and effective prevention, access to high quality and affordable
mental healthcare and treatment, and reintegration into society
after recovery.
Among its initiatives, the EU will increase protection for children
including from the impact of social media, run campaigns for mental
health in the workplace, launch an initiative on European depression
and suicide prevention, create a European Code for Mental Health,
and provide targeted support to the elderly, migrants and refugee
populations.
($1 = 0.9351 euros)
(Reporting by Julia Payne; Editing by Mark Potter)
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