The European Union supports mental health and well-being through dedicated funding programs and strategic initiatives, with a focus on prevention, access to care, and protection of vulnerable groups. Key strands include EU4Health funding, which has allocated substantial resources to mental health projects, and WHO/EU partnerships that advance a Europe-wide agenda for better mental health services and resilience.
EU funding and initiatives
- EU4Health program
- The EU4Health framework provides financial support for member states and stakeholders to implement preventive and care-oriented actions targeting mental health and well-being. Recent annual work programs have already committed tens of millions of euros to these efforts, including allocations specifically for collaboration among authorities, support for civil society and vulnerable populations, and initiatives addressing the mental health needs of cancer patients and survivors. These funds are managed by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) and are targeted at groups facing heightened risk, such as migrants, refugees, Roma communities, and people displaced from Ukraine.
- 2023 and 2024 activity
- In 2023, a portion of EU4Health funds was earmarked to strengthen mental health prevention and support across the EU, with dedicated sub-allocations for government bodies, civil society organizations, and targeted populations.
- The 2024 work program continues this approach, aiming to foster a preventive, comprehensive approach to mental health that integrates care, prevention, and resilience-building, particularly for vulnerable groups, including patients and caregivers affected by cancer.
- Broader European health commitments
- The EU has articulated a holistic mental health strategy that places mental well-being on par with physical health and embeds mental health considerations into crisis response and recovery efforts. This includes high-level initiatives to fund leadership, policy reform, and cross-border collaboration to close gaps in access to care and prevention.
Partnerships and advocacy
- WHO Regional Office for Europe
- The Pan-European Mental Health Coalition, launched with participation from policymakers, mental health professionals, civil society, and international organizations, aims to reframe mental health as a central policy priority and to address service gaps across the life course. The coalition emphasizes integrating mental health into emergency response, disaster recovery, and long-term well-being strategies.
- European professional and civil society networks
- European psychiatric and psychology associations, as well as national bodies, advocate for coordinated EU actions and enhanced funding to improve mental health services, prevention, and rehabilitation, aligned with ongoing EU programs and the WHO-led coalition.
What this means in practice
- Increased funding for prevention and early intervention programs, including school-based and community-based initiatives, to reduce the incidence and impact of mental health disorders.
- greater support for vulnerable groups through tailored programs, outreach, and accessible services.
- Enhanced cross-border collaboration and knowledge sharing among member states, healthcare providers, and civil society to scale effective mental health interventions.
- Emphasis on integrating mental health into broader health, social, and emergency preparedness policies to create resilient health systems.
If you’d like, I can pull the latest official EU documents and summarize the most recent funding amounts, project calls, and eligible activities, or tailor a briefing for a specific country or stakeholder group.
