WHO and European Commission launch €11 million partnership to strengthen mental health systems across Europe
Photo Credits: WHO
The WHO Regional Office for Europe and the European Commission have launched a new €11 million initiative under the EU4Health programme to strengthen mental health systems and policy implementation across the EU, Iceland, and Norway .
The project builds on the European Commission’s comprehensive approach to mental health and WHO’s Framework for Action on Mental Health (2021–2025). It aims to improve countries’ capacities to promote well-being, prevent mental ill health, and strengthen access to mental health care through a more integrated and cross-sectoral approach.
Planned activities include assessments of national mental health systems and policy implementation, development of real-time mental health data monitoring frameworks, tailored capacity-building for policymakers and the health workforce, and policy dialogues to support sustainable reforms. The initiative will also examine issues such as adverse childhood experiences, workforce mental health, and the involvement of people with lived experience in policymaking.
The programme reflects growing recognition at EU level that mental health requires stronger long-term investment, coordination, and implementation support across member states.
