Labour MEP Alex Agius Salibahas been appointed as co-chair of the European Parliament Intergroup, MEP Alliance for Mental Health.
"I am honoured with the responsibilities and trust given to me by the Intergroup on mental health. Mental health is as important as physical health. It is important for individuals, their families, the health and social system, society, and the economy," said MEP Agius Saliba at the first meeting of the Intergroup.
"Unfortunately, mental health has been vastly ignored and surrounded by stigma. It is time to change this direction, strengthen the voice of the mental health sector, and provide adequate measures and policies at the European level, " added the MEP.
Agius Saliba stated - “The EU should focus more on prevention of mental health problems. I am very glad that last week the European Parliament has approved my recommendation on the right to digitally disconnect as part of a Report on employment and social policies of the euro area. In the field of employment, the right to disconnect is definitely a major step towards substantial improvements in the balance of working life and family life therefore contributing positively to better mental health for EU workers.
During the first meeting of the Intergroup for the new Parliamentary term, MEP Alex Agius Saliba co-chaired a discussion with representatives of 120 health-related organisations and policy institutions.
The hearing organised together with the Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy Networks (GAMIAN-Europe) aimed to exchange and share mental health priorities, ideas, and concrete proposals at EU-level. "The conclusions of the meeting will guide the work of the European Parliament Intergroup.” said the MEP.
During his speech, he stressed that sadly there is a decreasing focus on mental health, both at European and national levels, at a time when Europe is registering the 2nd largest death rate by suicide in the age bracket of 15 to 29 years, something which according to MEP Agius Saliba is very worrying
“More than ever, we must mainstream mental health as a priority in different health and social policies. We also must take into account new emerging risks on mental health linked to the new digital technologies. And we need financial support from EU Institutions on new Mental Health initiatives," said Alex Agius Saliba.
MEP Agius Saliba reiterated that during the next five years, the intergroup will work towards the development of sound EU policies aimed at preventing mental ill-health and ensuring appropriate, high-quality services and person-centred care, empowering those affected.