The European Pact for Mental Health and Well-being

The Health and Consumers Directorate General of the European Commission is leading an initiative that will bring together policies,programmes and activities across Europe, under the banner of a European Pactfor Mental Health and Well-Being. The Pact was launched by Health Commissioner Vassiliou in June this year, with the support of Commissioner Spidla (Employment and Social Affairs).

Work is now underway to enable a broad range oforganisations to take part in a process of exchange of practice and the collection of examples, to illustrate and celebrate action by Member States, policydirectorates of the European Commission, civil society, academics and other stakeholders.

The Pact will only be truly successful if actorsfrom all areas of policy and interest recognise the mental health dimension oftheir work, and highlight their ongoing activities under the umbrella of thePact. This will enable exchange of information and practice, and enable new networks and collaborations.

A series of consensus papers in each of the five priority areas of the Pact were produced for the June conference. A BackgroundPaper was produced by the SUPPORT Project for the event.

The European Commission has also launched a new video film which discusses the pact, and gives examples of some of the ways itwill be taken forward. To view the video, and for more information on the Pact,and the opportunity to contribute, visit http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_determinants/life_style/mental/mental_health_en.htm