2022 European Mental Health Week

Today marks the start of 2022 European Mental Health Week (9-13 May). This year’s theme ‘Speak up for mental health’ shines the spotlight on youth mental health as a high-profile societal issue now and in the foreseeable future.

In most European countries, mental health problems among young people (15–24-year-olds) have doubled the last two years as a consequence of the pandemic. Young people constitute an especially vulnerable group. Immediate action at European and national level is crucial to address the mental health needs of young people in Europe. Speak up for mental health. Start now.  

This week-long online action is a chance for everyone and especially young people to speak up about all aspects of mental health, share personal stories of how to cope with difficulties in times of crisis and in general, and highlight the need for action.

You can also join Mental Health Europe and its members across Europe for various events, discussions, and activities during the week. From high-level policy webinars to conversations and live sessions on social media – there is something for everyone.

Together with the voices of our young people, we invite everyone to speak up for mental health. Let us shape a brighter future for young people. Their future is the future of our societies/world.

 This European Mental Health Week, we ask you to try these five things:

1. Spread the word: youth mental health matters

Please help us spread the word about the week by sharing messages and visuals. Mark the week using the hashtags #EuropeanMentalHealthWeek and #SpeakUpForMentalHealth. Like and retweet our posts throughout the week using these hashtags. Spread the word to your followers on social media. The more people hear about the campaign, the better! It only takes a few seconds but can have a lasting impact.

2. Attend one of our events

MHE will present its policy recommendations at this webinar, take stock of the state of play of young people’s mental health and discuss the actions needed to shape a brighter future for all. Speakers from representative youth organisations as well as young people with lived experience of mental ill health and of service provision are included on the panel.

3. Tell the world why youth mental health matters

4. Inform yourself & others

Small talk is an important part of human interactions, but often small talk turns into "cold talk". It forces us to speak about light-hearted subjects, although our feelings inside might be heavy. It also contributes to mental health stigma when people fear that talking about mental health might become a burden during the conversation.

Opening up about our mental health is not always easy, even with people we trust. With many of us experiencing mental health difficulties due the pandemic and additional anxieties caused by geopolitical uncertainty, climate change and economic uncertainty, we all need to be helped and show compassion in the ways we can.

These open-up cards aim to encourage people to take the small talk to the next level. Use them with the young people in your life and/or someone you care about to steer the conversation towards the discussions about how they feel. 
Speak up for mental health. Be vocal. It’s ok to not be ok.

5. Raise awareness – update your social profile

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