"Improving the Mental Health of the Population": Can the European Union Help?

HL 73-I, 14th Report of Session 2006-07, Volume 1: Report

Author:

House of Lords – European Union Committee

Publisher:

TSO (The Stationery Office)

Price: £15.50

This report brings together evidence from a wide range of individuals and organisations and relates to the European Commission Green Paper of October 2005, 'Improving the Mental Health of the Population: Towards a Strategy on Mental Health for the European Union' (Download at: http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_determinants/ life_style/mental/green_paper/mental_gp_en.pdf), which itself followed on from a World Health Organization conference in January 2005 ('Mental Health: Facing the Challenges, Building Solutions' – ISBN 928901377X, available below) between health ministers, discussing mental health problems across Europe.

Various health studies have shown an increase in mental health problems across Europe – with one in four adults experiencing some kind of mental health problem in any one year – which are often the result of anxiety disorder or depression, or sometimes the result of a more severe mental disorder such as schizophrenia. High rates of emotional and behavioural disorders among children and adolescents, as well as mental health problems among older people, have also been observed.

The impact on individuals and families is enormous and the cost to the economy is estimated at over £77 billion every year. The European Union Committee believes a wider public recognition is needed on the impact of mental health problems in the UK. The European Union has a role to play in promoting better mental health and delivering better services and also in facilitating the exchange of information and best practice.

Chapters include:

• Setting the Scene

• Defining Mental Well-Being and Mental Health Problems

• The Social and Economic Impact of Mental Health Problems

• The Added Value of an EU Mental Health Strategy

• Human Rights Issues

• Social Exclusion, Stigma and Discrimination

• Promotion and Prevention

The accompanying '"Improving the Mental Health of the Population": Can the European Union Help? - Volume 2: Evidence - HL 73-II', ISBN 0104010495, is available to buy separately (see below).

Extent	101 pages	ISBN	9780104010518
Size	A4	Price	£15.50
Format	Paperback	Published	24 Apr 2007
Availability	Colour copy: 3 - 5 days	Delivery	Delivery options and charges