The EU could fund a campaign that aims to reduce the stigma around mental health, encourages young people to seek help when they need it and provides ways to get help for free or minimal prices.
Here are some concrete actions and suggestions regarding the idea.
– Research: The first step would be to conduct and gather research on the existing stigma around mental health and the barriers that prevent young people from seeking help.
– Develop campaign materials: Based on the research findings, develop a range of campaign materials, including social media posts, videos, posters, and brochures. These materials should be tailored to the needs and preferences of us young people and should address the specific barriers to seeking help identified in the research.
– Partner with social media influencers and other popular figures to spread the message of the campaign. Influencers could create their own social media posts, share campaign materials, or even participate in live events to raise awareness about the importance of mental health.
– Partner with mental health organizations, both at the local and national level, to raise awareness about the campaign and to provide resources and support to young people who need help.
– Launch the campaign with a big event or announcement, and promote it widely through social media and other channels.
It’s important to note that there are already existing EU-funded initiatives and programs that address mental health, such as the EU’s Joint Action on Mental Health and Wellbeing; this proposal could be imagined as complementary to such programmes.
