The European Union is stepping up efforts to tackle the growing youth mental health crisis. Inequalities in national strategies and rising psychological distress among young people are now in sharp focus.

During a high-level conference in Kraków on 7 April, mental health experts and EU officials called for urgent action, showcasing best practices and outlining concrete measures – such as €1.3 billion in new funding—to integrate mental health care, education, and social policy across Europe.

Experts presented a comprehensive report titled “Youth Mental Health: Integrating Mental Health Care, Education, and Social Policies,” outlining best practices for supporting children’s mental well-being.

“This is a key event of the Polish EU presidency,” commented Polish Deputy Health Minister Katarzyna Kacperczyk, adding, “We aim to find the best solutions to address this issue, help young people, and raise awareness among parents and teachers.”

Youth mental health solutions

Representatives from the WHO, OECD, and UNICEF offered specific recommendations for governments and policymakers on how to effectively protect youth mental health and promote well-being in the changing digital landscape.

Marion Devaux, Health Policy Analyst at the OECD, presented alarming statistics. “Young people’s mental health is poor and deteriorating,” she said, adding: “In 2022, over half of teenagers reported multiple health issues.”

Devaux noted that anxiety and depressive disorders have increased by 20% compared to pre-COVID-19 levels, with suicide being the second leading cause of death among young people in Europe.

She highlighted the uneven implementation of mental health strategies across EU countries. “Only 28% of countries have not implemented mental health strategies in primary care, 21% have not done so in schools, and only 10-14% have fully implemented these strategies,” Devaux explained.

The OECD identified 11 best practices across various areas, including a Polish programme aimed at early detection of postpartum depression through education and increased social awareness.

These interventions have shown promising results, reducing behavioural problems by 50%, mental disorder symptoms by 87%, and improving educational and professional outcomes by 50-61%.

The report emphasised the economic significance of integrating mental health, education, and employment sectors, presenting estimated costs of mental health problems in European countries as a significant percentage of GDP.

Economic benefits from implementing programmes included healthcare savings ranging from €0.01 to €3.60 per person annually.

Building EU Framework

EU Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Olivér Várhelyi emphasised the urgent need to protect children’s and young people’s mental health in the digital era. He highlighted the dual nature of digital technologies, which offer both opportunities and risks, including cyberbullying and excessive screen time.

“Early intervention is crucial before problems become entrenched,” stated Várhelyi.

The Commissioner outlined that the European Commission is taking concrete actions, including studying the impact of social media on youth mental health. “We are already allocating nearly €1.3 billion in funding opportunities to support member states and stakeholders in improving mental health across various policy areas,” he said.

Várhelyi stressed the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders, including digital platforms and young people, to effectively protect their mental health in the digital world.

The conference provided a platform for EU member states to share best practices and challenges in developing and implementing strategies for children’s mental health in the digital world.

Mental health experts emphasised the importance of cross-sector collaboration, particularly in education, healthcare, technology, and social services.

The meeting also facilitated an exchange between policymakers and young people, with students presenting their research project on the impact of new technologies on mental health, while many participants expressed strong support for the initiatives undertaken by the Polish presidency.

The conference’s conclusions will influence future actions regarding children’s and young people’s mental health in the digital age. These findings from meetings organised during the Polish presidency will form the foundation for further work on EU Council Conclusions, which aim to establish a common framework for action in youth mental health.

[Edited by Vasiliki Angouridi, Brian Maguire]