Mental health is not only a public health concern but a social and economic necessity for Europe and its member states, Cyprus’ Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides said on Tuesday, following a High-Level Conference on Mental Health and Inclusion held in Nicosia under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Speaking at a press conference, the minister warned that the burden of mental health challenges remains high, while the years following the Covid-19 pandemic have brought new and emerging pressures.
“We continue to work hand in hand with our European partners and with World Health Organization Europe, so that the momentum created today is transformed into tangible and lasting improvements in the lives of our citizens,” he said.
A cross-cutting policy challenge
Charalambides stressed that the conference sent a clear message: improving mental health goes beyond healthcare policy and requires coordinated action across employment, education, digitalisation, culture, environmental and climate policies.
Strengthening prevention, he said, must become a central pillar of a stronger and more autonomous European Health Union, addressing behavioural risks as well as the social and environmental factors that shape people’s lives long before they enter the healthcare system.
Community-based care and lived experience
Participants also highlighted the importance of community-based approaches to mental healthcare. Reform efforts, the minister noted, must be grounded in dignity, inclusion and pathways back to everyday life, with access to housing, employment, education and community participation seen as essential for recovery.
Another key conclusion was the need for the meaningful involvement of people with lived experience and patient organisations in policymaking. “When those most affected have a voice, mental health systems become fairer, more responsive and more humane,” Charalambides said.
Focus on young people
Young people were placed at the centre of the discussions, with broad agreement that they must be actively involved in policymaking from the outset, including in design, implementation and evaluation.
At the same time, the minister acknowledged the unprecedented pressures young people face today, from social media and academic stress to broader socio-economic and environmental uncertainty. These realities, he said, require an integrated approach prioritising prevention, timely and equitable access to care, sustained support and continued efforts to reduce stigma.
Digital tools and innovation
Charalambides also underlined the growing role of digitalisation and technological innovation in mental health. When used safely and effectively, digital tools can complement traditional care and strengthen prevention and early intervention, particularly for children and adolescents. However, he cautioned that innovation must be evidence-based, accessible and fair across all member states.
Next steps at EU level
The conference conclusions, he said, reflect three guiding principles: a shared vision centred on prevention, inclusion and person-centred care; stronger cooperation and exchange of best practices across Europe; and a shared responsibility to place people, especially young people and those with lived experience, at the heart of decision-making.
Responding to questions on funding, the minister said he was not aware of shortfalls affecting implementation. Mental health, he added, will remain high on the agenda of the Cyprus Presidency and will be discussed within the EPSCO Council.
Source: CNA