EU Commission updates European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan – MHE Reaction

On 22 July 2026 the European Commission (EC) published its long-awaited updated Social Pillar Action Plan. Mental Health Europe (MHE) welcomes the renewed commitment to the 20 principles contained in the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR), equality frameworks, and the positive and references to upcoming initiatives such as the Quality Jobs Act and the Care Deal. However, the updated action plan fails to provide the necessary initiatives to support the realisation of existing social targets by 2030, including in poverty reduction. 

The communication deals with progress made in relation to the targets agreed in 2021. While progress is recorded in some areas, changes show significant regional variations. A closer look also illustrates ongoing inequalities including in the labour market such as only minor reduction in the gender employment gap and persisting disability and Roma employment gaps. These facts illustrate why the action plan should have been more concrete and ambitious. More action is evidently needed to translate the principles in the EPSR into reality across all member states. 

MHE previously highlighted how the revision of the EPSR Action Plan should have provided an opportunity to advance mental health by reinforcing the social dimension of the EU. We also stressed that the EPRS provided a framework to improve mental health outcomes, as it shows the connections between different policy areas, which interact with each other and impact mental health, such as education, healthcare and housing. It is unfortunate that the Commission has taken a more limited approach. It thus even fails to realise its own statement contained in the communication that: “the cost of inaction far outweighing investment, integrating social considerations into all policy areas is essential for Europe’s prosperity and competitiveness.” 

Mental Health Europe (MHE) had hoped for an action plan that contained explicit consideration of mental health and legally binding measure in the implementation of EU-wide social targets. An increased emphasis and concrete actions to achieve social targets, rather than restating of existing commitments, is crucial given the Commission’s proposals around the next multi-annual financial framework. The current proposals would see a reduction in funding for social objectives which would place further doubt over the ability of the EU to achieve its social targets. 

Looking ahead, MHE is calling for: 

• a strong European Care Deal that recognised the importance of supporting the mental health of the long-term care workforce as a key aspect of addressing workforce challenges. We also highlight that strengthening the availability and access to care services is multi-dimensional and that the support of mental wellbeing of informal or unpaid carers is also a vital consideration; 

• Consideration in the Quality Jobs Act of psychosocial risks at work as well as the many positive effects on mental health of secure, well paid and meaningful employment as well as real support for those who are unable to work that does not lead to poverty or social exclusion; 

• Actions to implement the commitments, including to eradicate poverty by 2050; 

• The prioritisation of investment to achieve social targets also going forward in the next MFF (including in the NRPP structure currently proposed) and the European Semester framework; 

• The full consideration of mental health in all policy areas – especially those included in the EPRS.