Innovation for Mental Wellness

Table of Contents

Understanding the Importance of Mental Wellness Innovation

Mental Wellness in Our Society

Mental Wellness in the Wake of the Pandemic

Investing in Mental Health Resilience

Towards a Comprehensive Mental Health Approach

Understanding the Importance of Mental Wellness Innovation

Even today, mental wellness issues are branded with a high level of stigma, although it has a profound impact on the individual and society as a whole. Negative perceptions that stigmatise mental health issues may discourage and prevent individuals from seeking help, combined with poor access to mental health care services, leads to significant public health issues, not to mention the economic costs to society, including healthcare costs, lost productivity, and reduced economic growth.

 

Mental health is a public health issue that affects a person’s overall well-being, quality of life, and productivity and is vitally important to both individuals and societies.

Innovation for mental wellness tackles these problems, aiming to reduce the barrier to accessing mental health services, the threshold to seek help and utilise digital and emerging technologies in mental health therapies.

inXso is organising an action to promote Mental Wellness Innovation.

We want to invite all professionals innovating in Mental Health to network with each other and promote mental wellness.

Please stay tuned!

Mental Wellness in Our Society

Poor mental health and disorders are significant public health problem that influences people’s social relationships, leading to social isolation, physical health problems, and reduced performance at school and work.

A distinct relationship between mental health and substance misuse has been recognised, as people with mental health issues consume substances, such as tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, that harm their health at higher rates. Such high-risk behaviour coupled with physical inactivity correlates with mental health and impacts physical wellness as well, which leads to a risk of developing cardiac disease, hypertension, stroke, and diabetes.

In other words, mental health directly relates to lower life expectancy and the probability of developing chronic physical conditions. Access to appropriate health services is complicated due to the fact that psychiatry is often separated from other medical specialities, which, coupled with inadequate training, contributes to a lack of attention to the management of co-morbidities.

Mental Wellness in the Wake of the Pandemic

The full impact of the pandemic on mental health is not well known, and opinions may be conflicting depending on the studies conducted.

However, according to a scientific fact sheet published by the World Health Organization (WHO), the pandemic has “caused a 25% increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide” in the first year alone. The vulnerability of young people and women to the stressors of the pandemic has been recognised. Such stress factors as social isolation, fear of infection and death, grief, and economic distress have caused collective mental health strain.

The restrictions during the pandemic caused a burden on mental health on two levels; just when mental health services were most needed socially, they were disrupted as healthcare was already under extreme strain. This occurred at a time when mental health services were already inadequate globally, underlining the fact that little attention has been paid to the impact of mental health at the individual and societal levels.

It is no wonder that EU policymakers have paid attention to mental health resilience at a different level than before the pandemic.

Investing in Mental Health Resilience

The European Union recognizes the critical importance of adopting a holistic approach to mental health, particularly in light of the significant effects of the pandemic.

In response, the European Commission and MEPs have called for increased spending on research and innovation activities to increase mental health resilience through support for mental health services, mental health-supporting R&I activities, and society as a whole.

The calls for proposals to support activities to promote mental health resilience include providing access to evidence-based, innovative, cost-effective, and large-scale strategies for mental health promotion and prevention. They also aim to reduce the stigma and marginalisation of people with mental illness and provide citizens with new tools and services to make informed choices about their mental health care needs. The impact of climate change, environmental degradation, and digitalisation on mental health has been recognised, as has the need to address emerging risks associated with these changes.

The EU is also working to promote mental health through initiatives such as the Workplace Mental Health Campaign and the European Pact for Mental Health and Well-being. These initiatives aim to address the social determinants of mental health and make mental health a priority in policymaking.

R&I projects improving mental health resilience must contribute robust evidence on the feasibility, acceptability, and personal satisfaction of digital health technologies (DHTs) in people with mental disorders and to the development of flexible, interoperable, and reusable digital platforms. Effective guidelines for the development and implementation of DHT in clinical research and practice are also needed, as well as robust knowledge about mental disorders and the development of digital tools to optimise engagement and reliability.

Towards a Comprehensive Mental Health Approach

Addressing mental health is vital for enhancing overall well-being, improving quality of life, and boosting productivity across populations.

In recent years, rapid advancements in technology, shifts in the environment, and significant societal changes have profoundly influenced how individuals manage stress and mental health challenges. As a result, many people are struggling to adapt, leading to a heightened need for effective mental health strategies. To meet this challenge, the European Union is committed to implementing a holistic approach to mental health. This approach is anchored in several key principles:

1. Adequate and Effective Prevention: Prioritizing proactive measures to prevent mental health issues before they arise, including educational programs and community support initiatives.

2. Access to High-Quality and Affordable Mental Healthcare and Treatment: Ensuring that all individuals have access to comprehensive mental health services that are both affordable and of high quality. This includes offering a range of treatment options tailored to various needs, such as counseling, therapy, and medication management.

3. Reintegration into Society After Recovery: Fostering an inclusive environment for individuals recovering from mental health conditions. This involves providing the necessary support systems and resources to help them successfully reintegrate into their communities and lead fulfilling lives.

Through these efforts, the EU aims to cultivate a society that not only acknowledges the importance of mental health but also actively supports individuals in achieving mental wellness.

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