Home > Disabilities & Mental Health > Mental-health-in-all-policies Approach: A Key Priority in WHO/Europe High-level Conference

Mental-health-in-all-policies Approach: A Key Priority in WHO/Europe High-level Conference

Between 17 and 18 June, WHO/Europe and the Ministry of Health of France convened a high-level conference in Paris to catalyse cross-sectoral action on mental health, bringing together policy-makers, professionals and people with lived experience from 34 countries. The conference delved into how all sectors, including education, employment, justice and housing can play a role in protecting mental health and well-being.

During the conference, participants discussed:

  • The fact that, even if across the world, political and financial priorities are shifting in response to continuing and emerging crises and health determinants, commitment to supporting mental health and well-being as critical elements of a well-functioning society should be maintained.
  • The importance of health systems to meet the needs of people requiring mental health support, providing age-specific, inclusive, accessible, and prevention-focused solutions, regardless of gender, religion, education, employment status, socioeconomic status or ability to pay, or place of origin, including in emergencies.
  • The promotion of mental health and the prevention of mental health challenges as a responsibility of all sectors of government, including but not limited to agriculture, culture and arts, defence, education, employment, energy, environment, family, finance, housing, innovation, justice, law enforcement, migration, sports, transport and welfare. Additionally, mechanisms that enable coordination among sectors were recognised as essential enablers to the implementation of mental health policies. 

More information on the conference “Mental Health in All Policies: Address Challenges and Design Shared Solutions” available here.

Outcome statement of the regional high-level conference on “Mental health in all policies: address challenges and design shared solutions” available here.