Mental health and inclusiveness take centre stage under the Cyprus Presidency

Under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, a high-level conference on mental health and inclusiveness was held in Nicosia, bringing together representatives from several dozen national health ministries, EU institutions, and WHO Europe. A small number of civil society organisations were also invited, including PAREA, signalling increased openness to diverse perspectives in EU mental health debates.

The discussions underscored a recurring theme: mental health cannot be treated as a standalone health issue. Speakers repeatedly highlighted the need for a whole-of-society approach, recognising links with education, employment, social policy, and health systems. This framing reflects a broader shift in EU-level conversations, where mental health is increasingly seen as a cross-cutting policy challenge rather than a niche topic.

The conference also illustrated how EU Presidencies can shape political priorities. While the Presidency rotates every six months, recent years have seen multiple Presidencies place mental health high on the agenda - something that would have been difficult to imagine not long ago.

For PAREA, participation in this meeting was an important signal of trust and recognition, particularly given the continued stigma and limited policy familiarity surrounding novel psychedelic therapies. It also reflects a growing awareness that existing systems are failing many people with severe and treatment-resistant conditions, and that new approaches will be needed if Europe is serious about improving outcomes.