4.H. Round table: Shaping the future of population mental health: reducing inequalities and strengthening systems

Abstract This round table is jointly organized by the EUPHA Sections Health Literacy, Public Mental Health, Behavioural Science for Public Health, and Chronic Diseases, and the WHO Collaborating Centre for Health Literacy. The event will share unique insights to novel evidence and provide a forum for the presentation, critical examination, and discussion of the emerging developments and policy implications related to population mental health and mental health literacy in Europe. Mental health problems, long neglected in European health care systems, are now recognized as widespread and among the leading causes of disease burden and health inequalities across Europe and in different populations. Over 84 million people in the EU are affected by mental health conditions, with the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing social and economic crises further worsening the situation, especially among vulnerable groups such as young people and those in financial difficulty. The economic impact is significant, costing the EU over €600 billion annually, or more than 4% of GDP, due to reduced productivity, healthcare expenses, and social welfare needs. Mental health disparities are shaped by socioeconomic status, access to care, and stigma, which continue to limit help- and information-seeking and hinder effective support for those affected. At the same time, 9 out of 10 adults have problems managing mental health information and making mental health decisions. Investment in mental health has recently become a priority in European public health policy, with the promotion of mental health literacy in populations and systems seen as a promising intervention. As people face increasing pressures and uncertainties, taking action is urgent to strengthen support systems, improve access to high-quality care, and foster environments that reduce stigma and promote wellbeing. In this round table with five mental health experts, a brief presentation will introduce the MHLS study, which has also become part of the global population health literacy survey of WHO and the Horizon EARLY study. Together with the audience, the experts will seek ways to advance comprehensive, prevention-oriented, and cross-sectoral mental health strategies. After a short introduction by the chairs, the panel members will share a short 2-to-3-minute statement from their point of view in relation to the round table focus topic. Following the short statement, the chairs will prepare individual questions for each panellist and engage them in a discussion, which shortly after will open towards the audience for them to participate actively with the panellists in a 30-minute discussion, also using the online Slido platform. Key messages • Join us to explore the latest evidence and policy strategies for tackling the urgent mental health challenges facing Europe’s diverse populations. • Discover how strengthening mental health systems and promoting mental health literacy can reduce inequalities and build more resilient communities. Speakers/Panellists Iveta Nagyova EUPHA Sonia Dias National School of Public Health, NOVA University Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal Kai Kolpatzik Wort & Bild Verlag Konradshöhe GmbH & Co. KG, Baierbrunn, Germany Alexandra Fretian Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany