ESCAP's Positions on Mental Health Policy

With view to the 2024 elections for the European Parliament, the ESCAP Board have agreed the following recommendations and demands with regard to ensuring that the mental health of children and young people are being treated as a priority throughout the next legislative period 2024-2029. 

During 2023, the EU Commission, EU Council and EU Parliament have all released initiatives and statements addressing the mental health crisis we are experiencing. We welcome all participatory initiatives and now need to see concrete actions. During the next legislature period, we expect the new EU Parliament to expand and implement the important fundamental resolution from 2023. Addressing the Mental Health crisis is a continuous task that needs to be taken seriously and must not be dropped in the light of other developments.

We are calling for:

• European Parliament Commissioner for Children's Rights, protection and Mental Well-Being to be instated and corresponding commissioners in the individual states.
• Mental Health in all policies approach
• Development and strengthening of integrated child protection systems
• Ensure timely, appropriate and affordable access to mental health support. 
• Address shortage of mental health professionals 
• Ensuring quality scientific research in child and adolescent psychiatry

We invite you to share the document with your community, politicians, policy-makers and other stakeholders!

Read our full statement here:

ESCAP’s Positions – European Parliament Elections 2024 (English)

Positions de l’ESCAP – Elections du Parlement européen 2024 (Français)

ESCAP’s Positionen – Wahlen zum Europäischen Parlament 2024 (Deutsch)

Posiciones de ESCAP – Elecciones al Parlamento Europeo 2024 (Español)