Motion for a Resolution by
The Committee on Culture and Education Following the example: Approximately 38% of the EU's population suffers from mental disorders such as depression and anxiety each year. Stress, societal pressure and school pressure negatively impact mental health and subsequently day-to-day functioning. What can the EU do to prevent and reduce the prevalence of mental disorders and help young people with mental health issues excel in life? Submitted by:
Ísabella Rán Bjarnadóttir (IS), Kristín Ósk Guðmundsdóttir (IS), Paula Lorberga (LV), Sigurður Einarsson Mäntylä (IS), Ifthene Mebarki (BE), Mees van der Velden (NL), Valérie Cafaro (Chairperson, CH)
The European Youth Parliament, A. Fully alarmed by the fact that half of mental disorders affecting the youth are developed before the age of 14,9 B. Appalled by the fact that 50% of cases of major depressions stay untreated,10 C. Disturbed by the decreased opportunities of employment given by employers to condendants with mental disorders, D. Deeply concerned about the intensive academic pressure observed from the early stages of education systems and onwards, E. Alarmed by the lack of infrastructure supporting mental health in educational institutions across Europe, F. Bearing in mind that stress affects young people‘s health negatively, possibly leading to a lack of sleep, poor eating habits, self-harm, depression and anxiety, G. Noting with regret that mental disorders are culturally perceived differently and handled as a taboo subject in some member states, H. Taking note of a rising percentage of young people enrolling into tertiary education, increasing competition between students, I.
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Gravely concerned by the depiction of mental disorders on social media platforms, which romanticise the issue;
Eurofund (2019) ‘‘Crisis point: Well-being of young people still defined by the economic crisis“ WHO (2012) ‘‘Depression in Europe: facts and figures“
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