Mental health
Mental health is key to a fulfilled and productive life. Yet, many Europeans have mental health problems. EU countries are working to better promote mental health.
The work of the Council on mental health
Good mental health is a state of well-being in which people can realise their abilities, cope with stress, work and contribute to community life. However, the burden of mental health problems in the EU is very high.
Improving mental health is a social and economic necessity for the EU and its member states that has become more evident since the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the WHO, in the first year of the pandemic anxiety and depression grew by 25% worldwide.
The European Commission also reported an increased perception of loneliness in the EU.
The Council is working on four sets of conclusions to prioritise mental health and well-being, with a particular focus on the most urgent matters and the most vulnerable groups:
- people doing precarious work
- young people
- people that have both drug use disorders and mental health problems
On 30 November 2023, the Council adopted conclusions on mental health. The conclusions highlight the importance of addressing mental health and well-being in the different context in the life course, which benefits both individuals and societies. Member states are invited to elaborate actions plans or strategies with a cross-sectoral approach to mental health.
EU countries agreed to a number of objectives to reduce the scourge of poor mental health:
better quality of mental healthcare, making it more accessible for people with mental health conditions
fight stigma and discrimination
prevention, early detection and care of suicidal behaviour
tackle loneliness in vulnerable groups
promote mental health at the workplace and in education
a holistic approach to prevent and treat disorders
better monitoring and data collection about mental health in the EU
exchange of experiences and best practices
People doing precarious work
Stress and psychosocial risks at work can impact employees’ mental health. People doing precarious work are particularly at risk of developing negative stress that can lead to anxiety and depression.
This is because such jobs are often:
- poorly paid
- uncertain
- do not offer adequate protection to workers
The increasing digitalisation, robotisation and use of artificial intelligence at work may also have a negative impact on working conditions, and therefore impact people's mental health.
On 9 October 2023, the Council adopted conclusions on mental health and precarious work. This is the first-ever set of conclusions on the interconnection between mental health and employment.
EU member states agree that mental health and work are closely interconnected. Mental health is an important issue for work ability and productivity, and, conversely, psychosocial risks at work can be detrimental to mental health. In particular, precarious work, including poorly paid and unprotected jobs, may lead to disorders such as anxiety and depression.
In the conclusions, the Council invites member states to improve mental health at work with measures such as:
combatting precarious employment
strengthening public systems that protect mental health at work
supporting research on the impact of working conditions on mental health
ensuring that workers receive mental health surveillance
supporting the recruitment or reintegration of workers with mental health issues
Young people
According to some estimates, more than 14 million young people aged 15-29 had a mental health issue in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened young people’s mental health across Europe. In the 'Health at a glance report' compiled by the OECD, data shows that the share of young people with symptoms of anxiety and depression more than doubled in several member states compared to before the pandemic.
In a recent report UNICEF states that suicide is the second most common cause of death among young people in Europe, after road accidents.
However, almost half of young people in the EU (49%) declared unmet needs in mental health care, compared to 23% of the adult population.
Because of these figures, protecting young people's mental health is a priority for the EU and its member states.
The EU member states are currently discussing in the Council how they could better prevent mental health issues among young people, taking into account their specific needs.
On 23 November 2023, the 27 EU member states in the Council adopted conclusions on young people and mental health. The conclusions offer guidance on how to address this issue, with a focus on how to better meet the specific needs of young people, with actions like:
improving their living and working conditions
facilitating access to mental health care for young people
encouraging research on the impact of mental health on young people
combatting stigma
sharing best practices across EU countries
promoting a safer and healthier digital space including fighting against hate, violence, and abuse in the media and on social media
Children and teenagers' mental health in the digital era
The EU’s member states are increasingly concerned by the impact of digital technology on the mental health of children and teenagers.
While digital technologies can improve young people’s mental health, for example by providing access to support networks and remote therapy services, they may also expose them to threats such as inappropriate content, cyberbullying, excessive screentime, and online gambling. Screen addiction may also limit social interactions offline, leading to social isolation and loneliness.
In conclusions approved on 20 June 2025, the 27 member states called for further action at national and EU level to protect the mental health of children and adolescents by promoting the safe and healthy use of digital tools, and by creating a healthier, safer and more age-appropriate digital environment.
Proposed measures include:
- collaboration with key stakeholders such as digital industries, local authorities and youth workers
- raising awareness among parents, caregivers and educators about the risks posed by the digital environment
- digital literacy campaigns among children and adolescents, to help them deal with threats such as cyberbullying
- better design of digital products to protect young users from being manipulated or exposed to risks that impact their well-being and mental health
- enhancing reporting mechanisms to encourage children and teenagers to report inappropriate behaviour or harmful content
Drug use disorders and mental health problems
People that suffer from both a drug use disorder and a mental health issue are more at risk of developing a severe psychopathology, being hospitalised, overdosing, committing suicide, or dying prematurely, compared to people with a single mental disorder.
They are also more likely to experience unemployment and homelessness and to engage in high-risk behaviours linked to infections, such as HIV and hepatitis C viruses.
According to the European monitoring centre for drugs and drug addiction (EMCDDA), up to 80% of patients in certain groups of drug treatment have mental health issues. The most frequent psychiatric comorbidities among individuals with substance use disorders are depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress and personality disorders (mainly antisocial and borderline).
In the Council, EU member states are joining efforts to better support people with mental health and drug use disorders. On 5 December 2023, the Council approved conclusions on drug abuse and mental health disorders. The Council invites member states to consider drug use disorders co-occuring with other mental health disorders. Member states, the Commission and other relevant players should aim to develop personalised interventions adjusted to the special needs of such individuals.
The state of mental health in the EU
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, at least 84 million people across the EU suffered from mental health conditions according to the OECD. This equals to more than 1 in 6 people in the EU (17.3%).
Anxiety and depression were the most common mental health problems in the EU before the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by alcohol and drug use disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
Anxiety disorders affected an estimated 25 million people (5.4% of the total EU population), followed by depressive disorders (21 million people, 4.5%), and drug and alcohol disorders (11 million people, 2.4%).
Mental health has worsened worldwide since the pandemic, according to WHO. A Eurobarometer survey conducted in June 2023 revealed that almost 1 in 2 people (46% of the EU population) had experienced emotional or psychosocial problems, such as feeling depressed or anxious, in the previous 12 months.
The economic impact of poor mental health
In addition to the personal suffering and the suffering of the people around the person with problems – family, friends, caregivers –, poor mental health also has economic consequences for society. According to the 'Health at a glance report' by the OECD (2018), mental health costs the 27 EU countries and the United Kingdom at least €600 billion, or more than 4% of GDP every year in:
- direct healthcare spending (consultations, pharmaceutical products, hospitalisations): €190 billion or 1.3% of GDP
- social security programmes (sick leave, disability leave, unemployment benefits): €170 billion or 1.2% of GDP
- indirect costs in the labour market (lost income due to mortality, lower employment, absenteeism and less productivity): €240 billion or 1.6% of GDP
The benefits of good mental health
Mental health is an integral part of people’s health and is essential to a resilient society and a productive economy.
What benefits good mental health brings at different stages of life
Childhood and adolescence
better educational outcomes and job opportunities
Adult life
more productive work and chances to be employed
Old age
better integration and a more active role in community
Last review: 20 June 2025