The impact of Covid-19 on mental health
The Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic crisis have put a strain on everyone’s mental health and well-being, leading to increased work-related psychosocial risks and rising rates of stress, stress and mental illness. anxiety and depression. However, mental health is not treated as a priority in the same way as physical health, says the Parliament’s Committee on Employment and Social Affairs in its report on mental health in the digital world of work.
The report highlights that 64% of young people aged 18 to 34 were at risk of suffering from depression in 2021, due to lack of employment and financial and educational prospects, as well as due to loneliness and social isolation.
Find out more about EU measures for public health.
Prevent work-related mental health problems
The report calls on EU institutions and countries to recognize the high level of work-related mental health problems and find ways to help prevent mental health problems. It also highlights the need to eradicate violence, discrimination and harassment at work.
The committee is also calling for legislation setting minimum requirements for telework across the EU, without undermining the working conditions of teleworkers. This legislation could cover working conditions, including ensuring that teleworking is voluntary and that the rights, work-life balance, workload and performance standards of teleworkers are equivalent to those of workplace.
She also advocates for more flexible working hours to alleviate work-related stress, mental health education and employer training. Furthermore, she proposes that 2023 be the European Year of Good Mental Health to highlight this issue.
The latest report highlights Parliament’s concern for mental health. In a resolution adopted in July 2020 on the EU’s public health strategy after the Covid-19 pandemic, Parliament recognized mental health as a fundamental human right and called for an EU action plan on Mental Health.
In 2021, MEPs called for the right to disconnect from work outside working hours without negative consequences.
MEPs will discuss and vote on the report on mental health in the digital world of work during the plenary session which will take place from 4 to 7 July.
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