Countries in the WHO European Region face enormous challenges in working to promote the mental well-being of their populations, to prevent mental health problems in marginalized and vulnerable groups and to treat, care for and support the recovery of people with mental health problems. Mental health has growing priority across the Region, owing to the awareness of both the human and economic costs to society and the suffering of individuals. The WHO European Ministerial Conference on Mental Health, held in Helsinki in January 2005, identifi ed the main issues to be tackled, and viable solutions that can be implemented in all countries, regardless of their stage of mental.
