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Emer Cooke Emer Cooke is an Influencer

Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency

Better Together: Let’s co-create the future of #mentalhealth 🧠! This is the theme of European Mental Health Week 2024.   I believe it is essential to reflect about the concept of co-creation in mental health and how different groups can come together to support it. These are my three main points:   ❇️ First, we need new treatments with a faster onset of action, higher rates of response and remission, and an improved safety profile. For some diseases, better treatments are not enough. Take an example such as #dementia– we must also develop better diagnostic tools to identify the disease as early as possible, as early intervention can slow down its progression. I call on developers to do more research. We at EMA are ready to support your efforts, for example by providing scientific advice and protocol assistance.   ❇️ Second, when it comes to mental health, let’s not forget: medicines are never a silver bullet on their own. I cannot emphasise enough the importance of #psychotherapy, which can bring relief and support to those dealing with mental health struggles. We need to encourage decision-makers to prioritise access to psychotherapy. We know that such medical services can be expensive and the waiting-lists to see a psychologist are often very long.   ❇️ Third and finally: let’s all take a self-check and look at our own lifestyle. Getting enough sleep, reducing screen time and the consumption of social media content, drinking less alcohol, a healthy diet and physical activity, and taking the time and energy to nurture friendships and become part of a community – all of these can help us achieve psychological balance in our lives. Little changes in any of these areas can lead to big improvements overall.   Ultimately, co-creation is about responsibility, trust, action, and shared accountability. Are you ready to take the leap?     #HealthUnion #BetterTogether #wellbeing #EuropeanMentalHealthWeek

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Catherine McHugh

Regulatory and Drug Development Strategist, making your drug development journey and interactions with service providers easy / 20+ years’ experience / Ex-HPRA / Sunshine and Sighthound lover

3mo

Lifestyle changes can make a huge difference with or without medication and psychotherapy, thank you for including that as the third pillar in a holistic approach.

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