It should and must be a consideration in all relevant policies. Furthermore the Commission in close co-operation with the relevant European networks develops policies on how to tackle mental health problems related to unemployment in Europe. This Century has seen impressive increases in life expectancy in the Member States of the European Union and yet in all countries we are experiencing considerable and increasing differences in health between different social groups. These inequalities in health are rooted in the social, economic and environmental living conditions of the people. The Commission is taking this challenge very seriously.
Mental health is already on the agenda.
However, better and clearer understanding of mental health problems is needed. Here we need comparable and reliable information which will allow us to further develop mental health policies. I am sure that mental health will remain high on the health agenda of the European Union and the Member States. I am also confident that this issue will have a significant place in the development of the new Community public health framework for action which the Commission is at the moment preparing.