Overview

Recent years have seen significant initiatives at the European level to promote better psychological wellbeing, as well as to prevent and treat mental illness. Nevertheless, most people with mental health problems do not have sufficient contact with health and other services that can help meet their needs. This article highlights potential actions that could strengthen European research and foster innovation, focusing in particular on the role of new digital technologies and how they might help increase access to services and avoid some future costs. Lessons could be learned from longstanding experience in other countries, notably in Australia and the USA.