Leading academics from WHO collaborating centres in the WHO European Region met in Copenhagen on 23 August to drive collective action on mental health as part of the Pan-European Mental Health Coalition.
In their first face-to-face meeting at WHO/Europe since the COVID-19 pandemic began, 16 academics spanning 10 countries discussed the roles and capacities their institutions have in overcoming the many challenges that mental health systems face in the Region, many of which were brought to light by the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes the extensive burden of mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, which affects over 1 in 6 people in the Region, and insufficient investment in interventions to treat and prevent these disorders or their associated impacts, such as suicide.
The future of the Pan-European Mental Health Coalition was at the heart of this meeting, particularly with regard to how the collaborating centres could contribute best. WHO collaborating centres conduct research, contribute to WHO technical products, and communicate with WHO on the latest developments in their respective contexts, which makes them essential sources of support for WHO’s country and intercountry work across diverse areas of health. They have also been key pillars of the Coalition since its inception.
Participants of the meeting in Copenhagen saw it as a way to deepen the shared sense of responsibility for improving mental health systems, as well as an opportunity to clarify how they could best contribute to this end – a perennial issue for mental health professionals, given that people’s mental health and well-being are shaped by issues other than just the quality of health care services, such as social welfare, a supportive home life, or an employer committed to good work-life balance.
The Coalition, a flagship initiative of WHO/Europe launched in September 2021, is aiming to address mental health in all areas of life by harnessing the collective wisdom of leading experts and organizations in the Region. Its key purpose is to fulfil the objectives of the European Framework for Action on Mental Health (2021–2025), the roadmap for mental health system reform endorsed last year by all Member States, which includes transforming mental health services, supporting mental health in emergencies, and protecting mental health across the life-course.
Representatives of the collaborating centres were enthusiastic at the prospect of moving forward with the Coalition. Many are already lending their expertise, such as by mapping mental health-related policies, regulations and tools used throughout the Region.
“We very much appreciate the collaboration,” said Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director of the Division of Country Health Policies and Systems at WHO/Europe. “Science is at the heart of WHO work at all levels and collaborating centres contribute to safeguarding the quality and credibility of the evidence used for policy-making and service implementation. We are therefore looking forward to getting the best out of it.”