Psychedelic therapies: The case for a new focus in the EU’s mental health care approach

Abstract

Psychedelic therapies: The case for a new focus in the EU’s mental health care approach Tadeusz Hawrot, Founder and Executive Director of PAREA, states the case for a new focus in the EU’s mental health care approach, that is the underserved area of psychedelic therapies. As we navigate deeper into the 21st century, the importance of mental health care is gaining increasing recognition. But we still have a long way to go. The OECD estimates that mental illness affects one in two individuals during their lifetime, making it an ever-present yet often overlooked aspect of overall well-being. (1) The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2023 identifies mental health deterioration as a severe risk to economies and societies. (2) Yet, a startling reality is revealed in the WHO’s 2022 report: governments allocate, on average, only 2% of their health budgets to mental health. Furthermore, though making up 30% of total mental health sector funding, philanthropic donations represent a mere 0.5% of all health contributions. (3)