MHE calls on the EU to explicitly include mental health in the Health Strand of the ESF+

At the end of May 2018, the European Commission published a set of proposals for the regulations of the next budget of the European Union (EU) for the 2021-2027 period, also known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

These proposals are currently being discussed by the European Parliament and Council of the European Union. They include many areas relevant to health, including mental health, but the main instrument for Health-related funding will be the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) which will integrate the current Health Programme.

The proposed €413 million for the Health Strand in the ESF+ represents an 8% cut compared to the current funding period and misses out on one crucial element: adequately including mental health among its priorities.

In this position paper, MHE calls on the EU to include mental health and well-being in the Health Strand of the ESF+ and formulates recommendations and proposals for amendments on how to better integrate mental health to the draft regulation.