“Time for a check-up: the state of mental healthcare in Europe”
Health has been the world’s overriding concern for more than a year, and the ongoing pandemic has assaulted not only the physical well-being of people, but their mental health as well. Undiagnosed anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders are all perceived as being on the rise, and the demand for strong support systems is clearly urgent.
Silvana Koch-Mehrin, President and Founder of Women Political Leaders (WPL), addresses this mental health crisis in an article written for the OECD Forum Network – part of a series in which OECD experts and thought leaders from around the world address the COVID-19 crisis and discuss solutions to be implemented both now and into the future.
“Wellness isn’t limited to physical health alone but is also firmly rooted in mental well-being. Meanwhile, COVID-19 has exerted pressure on our national healthcare systems to an unprecedented degree… The mental health effects of the pandemic are still incalculable. They will extend far beyond the COVID-19 era,” writes Koch-Merin.
To help in addressing this silent pandemic, WPL and Centene Corporation are seeking to equip leaders with a deeper understanding of these issues by compiling insights from healthcare professionals and policymakers into the report entitled “Time for a check-up: the state of mental healthcare in Europe”.
Societies cannot fully recover from COVID-19 without alleviating the growing demand for care, at the same time working to destigmatise the disorders surrounding mental health. Only through informed responses and joint efforts by governments and civil societies can sustainable advances be achieved in terms of mental health.
Read more at the OECD Forum website
Read the report “Time for a check-up: the state of mental healthcare in Europe” here
