"Improving the mental health of the population"

This particular report brings together evidence from a wide range of individuals and organizations, and relates to the European Commission Green Paper of October 2005, Improving the mental health of the population: towards a strategy on mental health for the European Union, (http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_determinants/life_style/mental/green_paper/mental_gp_en.pdf), which itself followed on from a World Health Organization conference in January 2005 between health ministers, discussing mental health problems across Europe (ISBN 9789289013772). Various health studies have shown an increase in mental health problems across Europe, with one in four adults experiencing some kind of mental health problem in any one year, often the result of anxiety disorder or depression, or sometimes the result of a more severe mental disorder, such as schizophrenia. Also, high rates of emotional and behavioural disorders among children and adolescents, as well as mental health problems among older people have been observed. The impact on individuals and families is enormous, and the cost to the economy is estimated at over £77 billion every year. The European Union Committee believes a wider public recognition is needed on the impact of mental health problems in the UK. The European Union has a role to play in promoting better mental health and delivering better services, and facilitating the exchange of information and best practice. The report is divided into 11 chapters, and 5 appendices. Chapters cover such topics as: defining mental well-being; the social and economic impact; human rights issues; social exclusion, stigma and discrimination; mental health issues for population sub-groups