European Profile of Prevention and Promotion in Mental Health

The European Union funded Project on Mental Health Systems in the European Union Member States focuses on mental health promotion and prevention of mental illness programmes, status of mental health in populations and benefits to be expected from investments into mental health. The role of collaborators is to provide up-to-date information on mental health systems for their country as part of the Project.

The findings from the project demonstrate the wealth of activity in mental health that has taken place across Europe over the past five to ten years. The implementation of initiatives on the prevention of mental illness and promotion of mental health has made steady progress since the important EU and WHO policy initiatives launched since 2004/5. However, there remains much more to be done as the full effects of the economic downturn exacerbate the social determinants of health/mental health. Initiating investment in prevention and promotion activities in mental or related health initiatives is of crucial importance. Improving mental health and prevention is central to economic and social growth. This goes hand in hand with continuing improvements in the access and quality of mental health care for the people who need it. Maximising reduced or compromised resources in this way is an important investment towards economic and social growth, and would save costs in the medium to long-term future.