My plenary speech on Improving Mental Health at Work
Mental health is a public health issue in our Union, a silent pandemic that leaves more than 84 million people struggling.
To overcome this crisis, we need to make sure that mental health is embedded in all social policies, with actions that go beyond the health sector.
The European pillar of social rights offers the right framework to achieve this goal and is central to achieving a European Health Union.
Policies in employment, housing, education, child and social protection have an important positive impact on mental health and are an essential part of the prevention and mitigation aspect.
As policymakers we must not forget to adapt to the new transformations in the labour market:
while digitization, teleworking and platform work may offer flexibility, the lines between the private and the professional world have become more blurred,
with uncertainty, unfair wages, little or no right to disconnect, no social insurance and no health and safety protection.
The impact of mental health is also very significant on our economy and improving mental health at work is essential to counter diminished workforce efficiency and lower economic output.
Dear Commissioner,
Together, need to strive for a European Union where mental health is protected and promoted through strong and fair social policies.
