When we break our leg, we go to a hospital. A doctor examines our injury, prescribes us a course of treatment, and we go on with our lives. There is support, understanding, and sympathy. After all, a broken leg is a pretty annoying thing to suffer through, right?

This situation is very different, however, when one considers mental illnesses.

Instead of acceptance, there is fear. Instead of help, there is stigma, and instead of attention, there is shame.

Mental health disorders are one of the most chronic illnesses currently affecting workplaces across Europe today, with an estimated 30-40% of chronic sick leave attributed to it. This stigma exists not through want of trying. Indeed, Europe has implemented numerous measures over the years in order to combat it, from the European Pact for Mental Health and Well-being, through to the Commission Green Paper on Mental Health.

A major barrier to such effective action is the structure of the EU itself, which is painfully limited in terms of what it can legislate for in the healthcare arena. This coupled with a societal stigma against all things mental health, have meant that why is in actuality a pressing issue is instead pushed to the wayside, subject to suppression and inattention.

This is particularly worrisome for young people, who are often the demographic most at risk to suffer from mental health problems. Indeed, some papers point to over half of young people today suffering from some form of mental health issue.

The eradication and destigmatisation of mental health in Europe will take more than just a few waves of the legislative magical wand. It will take a concerted effort from all parties involved, at all levels of society, from institutional to community to the individual themselves, in order tackle this tragic problem