19 Oct, 2022

Pandemic scar: European Parliament asks to address the consequences on mental health of children

European lawmakers voted in favour of a non-binding report calling for increased spending on education and culture in order to combat the decline in the mental health of children and young people.

The report was approved with 522 votes in favour and 12 votes against on 13 September 2022. While between 10-20% of children and young people face mental health problems prior to the pandemic and multiple lockdowns, the report states that this number now lies at approximately 20-25%.

Members of the European Parliament say that closures of early childhood education and care providers, schools, spaces for youth work, cultural spaces and sports facilities have produced lasting effects on the mental health of many children and young people in the EU, having occurred during a critical period of their lives.

They urge the Member States to substantially increase public spending in education and training to above the EU average (5.00% of GDP in 2020) and invest in improving mental health services and awareness in schools and promotion of mental health literacy of education personnel.

They also call on the Member States and the Commission to break the stigma and the silence around mental health issues and launch an EU-wide campaign to raise awareness on mental health in educational and vocational institutions. They also point to the significant regional gaps across the EU in access to mental health and the constraints in some Member States in the reimbursements of psychotherapy from public health budgets.

Related Posts

News
Gender Equality and Work-Life Balance Policies during and after the COVID-19 crisis 

Gender Equality and Work-Life Balance Policies during and after the COVID-19 crisis 

Unpaid care duties are key to gender gaps in the labour market. As illustrated in a report published by the European Commission, across the Member States, care responsibilities are equally shared between women and men only in about one-third of families. The interplay between labour market and household conditions may create vicious cycles.

Read More

News
COFACE contribution to the European Year of Skills: life-long learning on social rights

COFACE contribution to the European Year of Skills: life-long learning on social rights

The European Commission's Directorate General for Education and Culture (DG EAC) published the final report of its Fifth European Summit which is an annual event attended by EU officials, member states ministers and education stakeholders. The report summarises the main topics discussed at this high-level event which focuses on key trends in education and training.

Read More

News
Eurobarometer survey shows 55% of Europeans think their governments should spend more on family policies 

Eurobarometer survey shows 55% of Europeans think their governments should spend more on family policies 

The Eurobarometer is a collection of cross-country public opinion surveys conducted regularly on behalf of the EU Institutions since 1974. In a newly released Eurobarometer survey, it is revealed that most EU citizens overwhelmingly support strong action at EU and national level and more social spending. 

Read More