Hrastovec

Loup Abramovici • Tomaž Grom

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Resolution on the National Mental Health Programme 2018-2028 (ReNPDZ18-28)

1. Introduction

Good mental health is a cornerstone of general health and, consequently, of social, family and economic stability, social well-being and people’s quality of life. Mental disorders are a major burden for individuals and their loved ones, and they also represent a major loss and burden for economic, social and educational systems. According to some data, 38.2% of the population in the European Union (EU) (including Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) had a mental disorder in 2011, which is approximately 164.8 million people. The cost of mental illness in Europe is €461 billion a year, and the most common diagnoses are: anxiety disorders (14%), insomnia (7%), depressive disorders (6.9%), somatoform disorders (6.3%), alcohol and other drug addiction (4%), ADHD (5% in younger age groups), dementia (1% in the 60-65 age group and 30% in the 85+ age group) (Wittchen et al. 2011). , 2011). (…)

The consequences of mental disorders place a heavy burden on social resources and on countries’ economic, educational, social, family, health, penal and justice systems. Poverty, social exclusion and inequalities in society have been shown to increase the risk of poor mental health. The poor economic situation in society poses a major risk to mental health, and it is precisely in such circumstances that every effort should be made to promote mental health. Poor mental health thus represents a loss of between 3 and 4% of gross domestic product (GDP), mainly due to lost productivity (as much as 65% of the costs associated with mental disorders are non-health related: absenteeism, disability) and early retirement (European Commission, 2008a, OECD data, available at: http://www.oecd.org/els/health-systems/mental-health.htm).

Mental health problems are therefore a key reason for the loss of productive human capital. A number of European studies have found that high costs (related to mental health problems) are incurred in the workplace due to presenteeism and absenteeism. In addition, people with mental health problems have significantly reduced incomes and are more likely to retire prematurely – one third of disability retirements in the first category (ZPIZ data). In Slovenia, mental and behavioural disorders are also one of the most common causes of sick leave in recent years (ZZZS data). (…)

Adopted: 27 March 2018
Published: 13.4.2018
Type of document: Resolution
Responsible authority: Ministry of Health
Adopting authority: National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia