Almost one in four young Irish people are calling for increased investment in mental health by the European Union, MEP Maria Walsh has said.
The call comes as a new poll carried out by the European Commission reveals that 22% of people aged between 16-30 believe the EU should invest more resources in mental health and well-being. Additionally, 20% of respondents want to see greater EU investment in health and healthcare access.
MEP Walsh is a Founder and Co-Chair of the European Parliament’s Mental Health Intergroup, and is a leading advocate on mental health awareness and support, both in the European Parliament and in Ireland.
MEP Maria Walsh said:
“These findings prove that mental health is top of the agenda for many young people. This should come as no surprise, however, given that suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people in Europe.
“The message from this data is clear; our young people are crying out for help. The onus is now on us as legislators to take the urgent action needed and respond to this call by increasing investment in mental health supports.
“From the years I’ve been working on this issue, I know the door is not always open when pushing mental health onto the political or media agenda. If this continues, the lives of our young people will continue to be under threat. Particular attention must also be paid to the health of young men. 79% of those who died by suicide in 2022 were men, whilst among young men aged under 25, suicide was the number one cause of death in 2019.
“Some progress has been achieved at a political level in Brussels, but sadly many still fail to treat mental health with the seriousness and urgency it needs. We must act decisively and ensure that mental health is given proper attention and funding in the next EU budget. Every young person, regardless of where they live, should have access to mental health services, education, and support.”
