Archives of Hellenic Medicine

Last update:

09-May-2025

Arch Hellen Med, 42(Supplement 1), 2025, 87-100

SPECIAL ARTICLE

Action plan for public health: Mental health, addictions, well-being

G. Koulierakis,¹ M. Malliori,² V. Mavreas,³ D. Klitsa,⁴ C. Lionis,⁵ C. Nomidou,⁶ M. Papadakaki,⁷ P. Skapinakis,³ N. Stefanis,² A. Stringaris,^8,9 S. Stylianidis,¹⁰ A. Tasiona,¹¹ G. Tzeferakos¹²
¹Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, Athens,
²School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens,
³School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina,
⁴Department of Occupational Health, GEP Group, Athens,
⁵School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete,
⁶Panhellenic Federation of Associations and Organizations for Mental Health (POSOPSI), Athens,
⁷Laboratory of Health and Road Safety, Department of Social Work, School of Health Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Heraklion, Crete,
⁸First Psychiatric Clinic, "Eginiteio" University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens,
⁹Divisions of Psychiatry and Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom,
¹⁰Department of Psychology, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens,
¹¹Health Center of Skydra, Third Regional Health Authority of Macedonia,
¹²School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Scientific Section of Dual Diagnosis,
Hellenic Psychiatric Association, Athens, Greece

Mental health is much more than the absence of mental illness and is linked to well-being. In addition, problematic substance use and addictive behaviours are recognized as a serious public health issue and evidence-based interventions are proposed with the involvement of all stakeholders and the participation of addicted people themselves in decision making and implementation of policies. Inequalities play a significant role in both the prevalence and chronicity of psychiatric disorders in the community, as well as in access to necessary care for those affected, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stigma and discrimination undermine the dignity and well-being of people with psychiatric experience or psychological problems and lead to their marginalization. Regarding addictions, the lack of an approved National Strategy has become even more serious in the last two years, as the pandemic and the changes that have been taking place in the field require immediate decisions and actions, identification and response to new threats, timely solutions to emerging direct and indirect consequences for individual and public health. An environment that respects and protects basic civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, based on the principles of equality and non-discrimination as an integral part of the international human rights framework is fundamental to the promotion of mental health. Public health, through prevention and health promotion, protection and monitoring the population's health and the management of health crises, effectively addresses the social and environmental determinants of mental health, using a human rights-based system to ensure equality, non-discrimination and respect for dignity.

Key words: Addictions, Mental health, Public health, Well-being.