ABSTRACT
Mental health constitutes a fundamental social good and an inalienable human right. Its status is systematically evaluated through specific public health indicators that reflect both the prevalence of mental disorders and the adequacy of mental health services. Globally, approximately one in eight individuals experiences mental health problems, while in Greece the corresponding prevalence in 2019 approached one in five people. Both the World Health Organization and the European Union consistently emphasize every individual’s right to accessible, high-quality mental health care, encompassing prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and social reintegration. Mental health is not solely a concern for mental health service users, but also for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and society as a whole. A comparative review of Greece’s mental health indicators against those of other European countries over the past decade provides important insights into the impact of the economic crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the current post-pandemic period on the mental health landscape in Greece. These findings underscore the urgent need for systematic epidemiological monitoring of mental health and for the completion of psychiatric reform in the country. During the years of economic crisis, Greece experienced a significant increase in the prevalence of mental disorders, particularly depression, while the pandemic period further intensified unmet mental health needs and exposed persistent structural weaknesses within the system. Over the past 25 years, Greece has undergone an ongoing process of mental health reform that has led to substantial changes, primarily focusing on deinstitutionalization and the transition toward community-based care. Despite important progress, however, the reform process has not fully achieved its objectives due to economic constraints, structural deficiencies, and unforeseen social and public health challenges. Within this context, Law 5129/2024, which aims to complete psychiatric reform in Greece, is expected to establish a new administrative framework for mental health service provision, address long-standing deficiencies, and facilitate the transition to a more integrated, holistic, community-oriented, and effectively organized mental healthcare model.
Keywords: Health indicators, mental health, Law 5129/2024, psychiatric reform
