Mental health at the heart of Europe’s future: High-Level Conference on mental health and inclusiveness

Mental health must be treated as a strategic priority for Europe’s social cohesion, resilience and sustainable development. This was a key message to emerge from the High-Level Conference on “Mental Health and inclusiveness”. Hosted on 27 January 2026 in Lefkosia as part of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, the conference emphasised the importance of a coordinated, cross-sectoral, people-centred approach to mental health policy, placing dignity, inclusion and prevention at its core.

The conference was chaired by the Minister of Health of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Neophytos Charalambides.

It is a common conclusion that good mental health enables people to fulfil their potential, work productively and contribute actively to their communities. At the same time, despite significant progress, the burden of mental health problems remains high. The years following the COVID-19 pandemic have brought new and emerging challenges to the fore, requiring continuous, collective and decisive action.

During the conference, it was agreed that mental health is influenced by various policy areas, including employment, education, digitalisation, urban planning, culture and climate policy. As the Minister noted in his opening remarks at a press conference following the conclusion of the Conference, “prevention must be placed at the centre, within the framework of a stronger and more autonomous European Health Union”.

From lived experience to real inclusion: A community-centred vision for mental wellbeing

Particular emphasis was placed on community-based approaches in modern mental healthcare. Mr Charalambides noted that “reform in the field of mental health must be grounded in dignity, inclusion and pathways back to everyday life”. He emphasised that access to housing, employment, education and active participation in the community are fundamental prerequisites for wellbeing, not a complementary benefit.

Another important conclusion was also the need people with lived experience and patient associations to participate meaningfully in policy-making. “When those most affected have a voice, mental health becomes fairer, more responsive and more humane,” the Minister stated.

The discussions focused on young people, with the Minister emphasising that they must participate actively from the very first stage of the policy process, while acknowledging the increased pressures they face in today's social, academic, and digital environments. He emphasised that building resilience through supportive communities and ensuring timely access to care “must remain a shared and non-negotiable priority”.

Photos 

See photos from the event on the Cyprus Presidency's Flickr account.