Von der Leyen: we must ensure that this is the last pandemic

Europe has made great progress in vaccination since the start of May and this is paving the way for societies to reopen safely, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday (25 May), but warned that progress must be consolidated so that we “stay one step ahead of the virus”.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said that biodiversity needs a Paris Agreement – COP15 in autumn this year is the world’s chance to achieve that, writes Bas Eickhout.

SEA EUROPE (1) CEOs calling for Commission action against unfair competition from foreign subsidies in shipbuilding. Dear Commission President Von der Leyen,  Dear Executive Vice Presidents Vestager and Dombrovskis,  For decades, the European Commission is fully aware that European shipyards suffer…

While the pandemic is primarily a physical health crisis, it has also had widespread impact on people’s mental health, inducing, among other things, considerable levels of fear, worry, and concern. The growing burden on mental health has been referred to by some as the ‘second’ or ‘silent’ pandemic. While negative mental health consequences affect all ages, young people, in particular, have been found to be at high risk of developing poor mental health. Specific groups have been particularly hard hit, including health and care workers, people with pre-existing mental health problems, and women. The pandemic has also appeared to increase inequalities in mental health, both within the population and between social groups. To address the population’s increased psycho-social needs, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe established an expert group on the mental health impacts of Covid-19 in the European region. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has issued analyses and guidance on mental health in general and the pandemic’s impact on mental health in particular. At European Union level, a December 2020 European Commission communication addressed the pandemic’s impact on mental health. In May 2021, the Commission organised a major online stakeholder event, and published best practice examples of solutions presented. A July 2020 European Parliament resolution recognises mental health as a fundamental human right, calling for a 2021-2027 EU action plan on mental health. Members of the European Parliament have also called on the Commission to put mental health at the heart of EU policymaking. Stakeholders broadly rally around calls for programmes and funding to improve citizens’ mental health, not least to respond to the pandemic’s long-term implications.

Source : © European Union, 2021 – EP