Ensuring Mental Health in Youth in Modern European Societies
Turning the European Pact for Mental Health and Wellbeing into reality
This debate is being hosted by the European Parliament and will be taking place on 3rd December, 2008 in Brussels.
Good mental health in childhood is a prerequisite for optimal psychological development, productive social relationships, effective learning, ability to care for oneself, good physical health and effective economic participation as adults. Although most children report a high level of mental well being, at present in Europe between 10 and 20% of young people have mental health problems.
The European Pact for Mental Health and Wellbeing, launched on 13 June 2008 by the European Commission with the support of the World Health Organisation, calls on the EU institutions, the Member States and key actors and players to cooperate and take actions on priority areas for the promotion of the mental health and well-being of the population. It recognises that mental health promotion in educational and community settings can play an important role in reaching youth and determining their level of mental health.
The European Parliament Committee for Health and Environment is due to vote on the motion for a resolution on Mental Health. Taking forward the commitments taken in the Mental Health Pact, the report calls on the Member States to organise support programmes for school personnel to develop a healthy school climate, as well as to build relationships between school, parents, health service providers and the community in order to strengthen the social integration of young people.
In view of the upcoming parliamentary debate and the 2009 EU conference on Mental Health in Youth and Education, there could be no better time to examine the potential impact of the European Pact for Mental Health and Wellbeing.
This event will foster discussion between representatives from the EU Institutions and key experts on policy perspectives in the field of mental wellbeing of young people across the EU.