EFPA event at the European Parliament: Shaping Mental Health Priorities

On 13 May, the European Parliament became the meeting ground for an exchange on the future of mental health policy in Europe. Hosted by MEP Maria Walsh (EPP, Ireland), the event brought together representatives from national psychology associations across 26 European countries to discuss the next steps for the European Parliament Intergroup on Mental Health.

The meeting, held as an appetiser to the European Mental Health Week, served as a timely platform to assess progress on the European Commission’s Strategic Approach to Mental Health, presented last year. Officials from DG SANTE (Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety) provided an update on the implementation status of this comprehensive framework, which aims to embed mental health in all policy areas and promote prevention, equal access, and support across the EU.

In a strong show of cross-sector collaboration, the event also welcomed key civil society partners, including Mental Health Europe, EUFAMI, GAMIAN-Europe, the Red Cross EU Office, and UNICEF Europe & Central Asia. Together, these stakeholders brought forward the voices of people with lived experience, their families, and communities advocating for better mental health systems.

EFPA (European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations) warmly thanked EU institutions for their ongoing commitment and recognised the vital role of its partners in advancing a common agenda. “Co-creation, equal access, and policy consistency must be the cornerstones of Europe’s mental health strategy,” an EFPA spokesperson emphasised.

The gathering reaffirmed the importance of sustained dialogue between policymakers, professionals, and civil society to ensure that Europe's mental health policies are both evidence-based and inclusive.

🔗 EFPA Mental Health Priorities
🔗 Mental Health Week
🔗 Commission Tracking Framework
🔗 European Parliament Intergroup on Mental Health