IS AN EU-WIDE APPROACH TO THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS NECESSARY?
Mental health is an intrinsic human right and an invaluable resource for the European community. This policy study reflects on the current provision of mental health services in France, Ireland and Poland. The authors review EU policy, to date, on developing a mental health strategy for the union and, for each case study country, outline mental health provision and the policy context to inform the findings from interviews with representatives of its mental health sector. It finds that none of the three countries has the capacity to address the rise in demand. All countries focus on hospital treatment and lack primary and community services; have barriers to access for vulnerable groups, including stigma; and need more investment.
In light of these findings, the policy study considers the need for the EU to take the strategic lead in working with member states to collaborate on an EU-wide mental health strategy to build greater resilience in their populations to meet the many challenges facing them.