During the 2022 State of the Union Address, President von der Leyen announced that the EU Commission was working on an initiative for a comprehensive approach on mental health. This initiative, integrated as a pillar to the European Health Union, was finally released on 7th June 2023. 

“Mental health is an integral part of health. It is a state of well-being in which individuals realise their own abilities and can cope with the stresses of life and contribute to community life. This approach is a first and important step to put mental health on par with physical health and to ensure a new, cross sectoral approach to mental health issues. With 20 flagship initiatives and €1.23 billion in EU funding from different financial instruments, the Commission will support Member States putting people and their mental health first”.

e-poster from the Mental Health Working Group of the Europe Region of World Physiotherapy on the scientific evidence for physiotherapy in mental health

This initiative comes after several consultations took place with Member States and stakeholders. 

The Europe Region, through its Mental Health Working Group, participated in the consultation phase through the submission of a document on the scientific evidence for physiotherapy in mental health. This evidence was presented in the form of a e-poster to the EU Commission and the rest of the stakeholders during a webinar that took place on 21st April 2023.

Download the e-poster here:

Find the Communication on the Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health by the EU Commission.