Severe Mental Illnesses: A Growing Challenge in Europe

Severe mental illnesses, including major depression, bipolar disorder, and psychotic disorders, pose significant challenges in the 21st century, affecting over one in six individuals globally. These disorders are the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death, with more than 84 million people in Europe alone suffering from various mental health issues. The impact of these conditions extends beyond individual suffering, contributing to increased somatic co-morbidities like cardiovascular disease and reducing overall life expectancy by 22%. The economic burden is staggering, with costs exceeding €600 billion, surpassing those of cancer and diabetes combined. In response to this crisis, the European Commission initiated a Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health program last year, emphasizing the need for high-quality and affordable mental health care across the EU. Current psychiatric treatments, however, remain largely non-specific, with drug development hindered by vague diagnostic categories and poorly understood mechanisms. This results in patients receiving generic medications that may only be effective for select groups, leaving clinicians without reliable tools to predict treatment outcomes. A promising alternative, precision psychiatry, seeks to enhance the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of psychiatric disorders by focusing on the biological mechanisms underlying these conditions. This approach aims to identify specific biomarkers and develop targeted therapies, allowing for more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans tailored to individual patients. Recently, a summit organized by the FondaMental Foundation, in collaboration with PEPR PROPSY and ECNP, provided a platform for stakeholders—including regulatory agencies, patient organizations, and academia—to discuss the challenges and advancements in precision psychiatry, fostering open dialogue and collaboration in this critical field.