End FGM EU’s contribution to the Call for Evidence on a Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health
Call for Evidence on a Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health: Promising Practices for Supporting FGM Survivors and those at risk
Mental health is a major societal challenge facing the EU. It deeply affects the health and well-being of individuals and has profound implications for the economy and social cohesion.
This initiative sets out:
- how action at EU level can help promote good mental health and prevent, mitigate and respond to mental health challenges
- how mental health considerations should be factored into a wide variety of resilient EU and national policies for the benefit of people across the EU.
It is clear that, in order to successfully tackle gender-based violence and eliminate FGM, gender- and culturally-sensitive mental health support services are necessary and should be fully accessible and tailored to the needs of Survivors as well as affected communities at large.
End FGM EU offers a contribution of the promising practices it has identified regarding support services for Survivors and calls for the implementation of these practices at the wider EU level.
In line with these considerations and with the EU’s outlined priorities, including among others in the Gender Equality Strategy, the Anti-Racism Action Plan, the LGBTIQ Equality strategy, the EU Child Rights Strategy, a Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health must:
- Promote an intersectional approach to mental health, taking into account the socio-economic variables that impact mental health of individuals;
- Mainstream mental health support and awareness raising in all relevant policies, including reception and asylum-seeking procedures.
- Ensure mental health support services are accessible for all, including migrant and asylum seekers, and covered by the universal health coverage;
Find more recommendations in the full document above.
