In the final episode of its “Enough waiting: reshaping mental health care” webinar series, WHO/Europe will explore one of the most pressing issues facing European mental health systems today: long waiting times.
Long waiting times for health care – including mental health care – are delaying diagnosis and treatment for many people in Europe. Recent Eurostat data reveal that 1.4% of the population aged 16 years or older cited waiting lists as the main reason for not receiving necessary medical examinations or treatments.
These delays can worsen distress and reduce engagement in care, particularly among children and young people. Evidence shows that reducing waiting times leads to better outcomes and more efficient use of health resources.
This webinar will spotlight successful strategies implemented by European countries to confront and overcome this critical challenge.
About the webinar
Organized under the European Union (EU)-funded project “Addressing mental health challenges in EU countries, Iceland and Norway”, the webinar will:
- analyse effective policies and strategies to reduce waiting times and improve access to mental health care;
- present case studies from across Europe highlighting practical results; and
- discuss enablers and barriers for replicating these strategies in different contexts.
Speakers will include representatives from health, education and social sectors; academic institutions; nongovernmental organizations; and people with lived experience from EU Member States, Norway and Iceland.
Why attend
The webinar will provide an opportunity to learn from real-world examples of how countries are making mental health services more timely and responsive. Participants will gain insights into evidence-based approaches that support equitable, accessible and person-centred mental health care across Europe.