Midlands-North-West MEP Maria Walsh was proud to host a group of 12 young people from Mindspace Mayo to represent the mental health concerns of young people across the county at the European Youth Event in Strasbourg earlier this month.
The group joined 4,500 young Europeans, participating in events and activities to inspire each other and exchange their views with experts, activists, influencers and decision-makers as part of the European Parliament’s youth consultation process.
Speaking after the event, MEP Walsh said: "I was honoured to host twelve incredible young people from Mindspace Mayo in Strasbourg for the European Youth Event 2021. Mindspace Mayo and their group leader Lianne, from Mayo Mental Health Association, work incredibly hard across the county to help young people with their mental health in times of difficulty.
"A vital part of the European Youth Event 2021 programme that I organised with Euro Youth Mental Health was ‘Mental health in our eyes: A cross-country conversation’.
"We brought together young people from across the 27 EU states to discuss the biggest issues facing their mental health and wellbeing, and identify possible actions to be taken at EU level.
"I invited Mindspace Mayo to ensure the views of young people in rural Ireland were brought to bear, their expertise and insights will certainly play an important part in shaping future policy and measures for mental health both in Ireland and the EU.
"Across Ireland and Europe, citizens deserve a preventative and holistic approach to mental health. I am actively advocating for 2023 to be designated as the European Year for Mental Health.
"Together we must raise awareness of the mental health needs of citizens and advocate for action, both to shape mental health policies and to ensure that finance ministers priortise funding for mental health. Mental health conditions are now the fastest growing current health burden with one in six people across the EU affected each year. Our citizens must not wait any longer, we must take action now."
