In June 2025, representatives from more than twenty countries, international organisations and civil society associations gathered in Paris to discuss issues that were previously considered purely medical matters. The high-level regional conference ended with the adoption of the Paris Declaration on Mental Health in All Policies, which set a new standard for integrating mental well-being into decision-making at the highest level. Ukraine actively joined this initiative by signing the document and committing to take mental health into account in its strategies for the development of education, labour, transport, culture and social protection.
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The idea of “mental health in all policies”
Until now, the approach to mental health has been limited primarily to the work of hospitals, clinics and specialised services. The Paris Declaration proposes going beyond the medical system: it emphasises that conditions in schools and universities, the organisation of work in enterprises, public transport infrastructure, cultural programmes and even urban planning have a significant impact on people’s emotional state. That is why the document calls for the formation of interdepartmental working groups, where the Minister of Education, the Minister of Labour, the city architect and a representative of the public will discuss and develop policies together.
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Ukrainian context and commitments
By signing the declaration, the Ukrainian government has committed to reviewing existing state programmes in line with the new standards. The Ministries of Education and Health have already announced the creation of joint analytical platforms where psychologists, sociologists and government officials will exchange data on stress levels and support needs among different age groups. At the regional level, there are plans to open “mental health centres” in regular clinics to minimise stigma and make consultations available alongside family doctors.
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Cross-sectoral coordination and citizen participation
The declaration states that the quality of its implementation depends on two factors: effective interaction between government agencies and the involvement of people with experience of mental health issues. In Paris, participants agreed to introduce mechanisms for “co-writing” programmes, whereby politicians and community representatives work on projects together. This applies, in particular, to the creation of educational modules for teachers so that they can recognise the early signs of emotional burnout in students, and the development of internal policies in companies that would allow employees to seek psychological support without fear of losing their jobs.
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Examples of practices from other countries
The declaration provides specific examples: in Finland, school psychologist services operate in every educational institution and are funded not only by the Ministry of Health but also by the Ministry of Education. In Portugal, interministerial groups conduct quarterly assessments of urban transport systems in terms of their impact on passenger anxiety levels. These initiatives help to understand how living conditions can be adapted to the mental health needs of citizens and reduce the burden on hospitals.
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Digital protection and human rights
The declaration pays particular attention to internet safety: it discusses cooperation with social media platforms and the development of ethical protocols for collecting and processing data on users’ emotional states. The protection of personal data and the fight against disinformation, which can worsen the psychological climate among the population, are recognised as strategic objectives. The document also confirms the need to respect the rights of persons with disabilities and children, referring to relevant international agreements.
Impact on the Ukrainian system
Pilot projects have already begun in Ukraine: in several regions, specialists from the Ministry of Health and civil society organisations conducted surveys to identify the most pressing social challenges. Based on the results of these studies, local authorities have launched programmes to support veterans suffering from anxiety disorders and initiatives for young people, where psychological counselling is available at student centres. This was the first step towards broader implementation of the principles of the Paris Declaration at the national level.
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