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The European voice for informal carers

‘Mental health and the pandemic: living, caring, acting!’

10-16 May is European Mental Health Awareness Week, a pan-European initiative that aims to raise awareness about the importance of mental health in our everyday lives.

This year’s theme ‘Mental Health Matters’ will shed a spotlight on mental health as a high-profile societal issue as well as a deeply personal experience for everyone during the pandemic and beyond. Over a year of pandemic, lockdowns and coronavirus restrictions have put a strain on many people’s mental health. We are all experiencing a different pandemic. Some experience the loss of a loved one, miss friends or family; others lost their workplace security and feel lonely, stressed and uncertain about the future. Now, more than ever, our mental health matters.

During the European Mental Health Week – on 10 May 2021–  DG SANTE hosted the high level conference ‘Mental health and the pandemic: living, caring, acting!’ This virtual event aims to highlight the mental health impact of COVID-19 along five themes – understanding – living – caring – responding – acting

by:

  • giving a voice to those affected
  • illustrating what it means to live in a world defined by COVID-19; looking at the situation of different groups in our society, including people with pre-existing mental health problems and those providing care
  • sharing examples and promising practices
  • exploring what we know and what we need to understand better
  • discussing how to ensure that our health systems are well-equipped, now and in the future

The streaming of the Conference is open to all and no login is needed. You can access it here

Eurocarers Executive Director – Stecy Yghemonos – presented at the Conference. Marjet Karssenberg- young carer from the Netherlands, member of the ME-WE Blended Learning Network and of the Eurocarers Young Carers Working Group- shared her powerful testimonial.

A detailed programme can be accessed here.

Further information on Mental Health Week – set up and run by Mental Health Europe, the largest independent mental health NGO – can be found here.

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