Mr. President, Excellencies and colleagues,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the European Union and its 27 Member States.

The Candidate Countries, North Macedonia*, Montenegro^*, Serbia^*, Albania^*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina^*, the potential candidate country Georgia, as well as Monaco align themselves with this statement.

It was just over three years ago that economies and societies came to a halt as the Covid-19 pandemic swept across the world. The pandemic clearly showed us that we need a concerted approach at global level when dealing with health challenges of that magnitude. It underlined the importance of international coordination.

We are now faced with the longer term mental health consequences of this pandemic.  All too often impacting children and adolescents. And for all too many, this adds to the disastrous impact on mental health of war, conflict and crises.

The EU MS have cosponsored and gladly join consensus on this resolution. We thank Mexico, Argentina, Japan, Canada, Israel, and Morocco  for their efforts in championing the issue of mental health at the UN, and for presenting this timely text to the General Assembly. We also thank WHO for their extensive technical support during the discussions.  

The resolution brings – for the first time -  the issue of mental health and psychosocial support for sustainable development and peace to the attention of the plenary.

We appreciate that this resolution builds on and bridges between health and human rights perspectives on mental health. It builds upon both the extensive work of WHO on mental health as well as resolutions of the Human Rights Council to end stigma, discrimination and violence in mental health and to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of persons with mental health conditions and psychosocial disabilities.

The EU and its Member States have markedly reinforced efforts to address mental health. We strive to promote well-being, prevent mental health conditions, ensure access to quality care, and to enhance access to mental health services. Timely support is critical in managing mental health difficulties and the EU emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach of prevention, early intervention and integrated care.

A few weeks ago, on the 7^th of June, the European Commission presented a comprehensive strategy on mental health, taking a holistic and human rights based approach based on three guiding principles:  Adequate and effective prevention; access to high quality and affordable mental healthcare and treatment; and reintegration into society after recovery.

Rapid technological, environmental, and societal changes have greatly affected people and their ability to cope. This approach recognises that mental health is about more than just health.  It therefore strongly involves areas such as education, digitalisation, employment, research, urban development, environment and climate. It has been developed after extensive consultation with EU Member States, stakeholders and citizens, and it identifies 20 flagship initiatives on mental health with dedicated financing.

Mental health will feature increasingly in our global efforts, notably the EU and it’s MS support to mental health for those in need.  To cite one example, the new strategy pledges mental health services for displaced and affected people and the dissemination of the Inter Agency Standing Committee Minimum Service Package on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS).

More broadly, to tackle the crisis, mental health needs to be put on par with physical health. Last November, the European Commission presented a new EU Global Health Strategy, which puts forward various actions aimed at tackling health inequalities worldwide and combatting health threats in the age of pandemics. The strategy addresses important lessons from the pandemic through a renewed, broad global health agenda. It promotes health and includes mental health as integral part of Universal Health Coverage, as an essential pillar of EU external action and international cooperation. The Strategy puts forward three key interrelated priorities:

1) stepping up efforts to deliver better health of people across the life course;

2) strengthening health systems and advancing universal health coverage;

3) preventing and combatting health threats, including pandemics.

Mr President, Excellencies,

The EU recognizes the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. We promote a human rights based approach to mental health. Research and knowledge exchange lie at the heart of our strategies. We recognize the importance of evidence-based practices and seek to advance our understanding of mental health through scientific exploration, fostering collaboration and sharing insights, in order to inform policies and interventions.

In embracing mental health as a priority in our internal and external policies, the European Union envisions a healthier and more inclusive society. Ensuring accessible and high-quality mental health services free of stigma and discrimination is key to achieving universal health coverage and more broadly the fulfilment of the 2030 Agenda.

By working together, we can create an environment where individuals are supported, stigma is eradicated, and mental health is recognized as an integral part of overall well-being. We need to unite in efforts to ensure that no one is left behind, and that mental health is truly a priority for us all.

Thank you.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.