Key areas for action
Increase funding > issues
On average, countries in the European Region spend around 6% of health budgets on mental health, while mental ill-health represent 20% of the burden of disease.1
- The burden of illness for mental health is higher than for cardio-vascular disease, yet funding levels are much lower.
- Mental health services suffer from chronic under-funding.
- In the EU, six countries have no dedicated funding allocated to mental health.2
- Existing funds must be earmarked for mental health services. Funding often covers non-psychiatric services, such as neurology.
- Without adequate financing, mental health policies will remain in the realm of rhetoric and good intentions.3
- Given the enormous externalities and costs of mental ill-health across society, investment in treatments can be highly cost-effective.4