Posted, February 19, 2009 @ 18:00
Brussels, 19th February 2009 -- At a cost of between three and four per cent of the EU's GDP, mental illness is a major problem that we must raise awareness of and combat the stigma associated with, John Bowis MEP, Conservative health spokesman in the European Parliament said today after MEPs adopted a report on the subject.
One in four people will suffer from mental illness at some point in their lives. The report adopted by the parliament today calls for employers to put in place policies that would ensure mental wellbeing is given the same priority as physical health and safety, and for a sympathetic regime when employees do undergo mental illness.
Mr Bowis said:
"There is still far too much stigma surrounding mental illness yet one in four people will suffer from it at some point in their lives.
"The cost of not acting - especially in a recession - is high. We need greater action to raise awareness and to combat the social exclusion associated with poor mental health."