EUnitas Echo Edition 5

Let’s get started

By Anna

Dear EUnitas family,

Welcome to a brand-new chapter of our study association’s newsletter, now reimagined as the EUnitas Echo Magazine! This edition marks a fresh start, with a new look, new energy, and the same EUnitas spirit that connects us all. Expect more stories, highlights, and creative insights that reflect the vibrant community we’re building together.

We’re also thrilled to welcome our newest members to the EUnitas family: Beautilyn, Emma, James, Yléna, Lea, Elisa, Martyna, Noemi, and Anushka! We can’t wait to see your ideas, enthusiasm, and talents shine through our upcoming projects and events.

Here’s to new beginnings, inspiring stories, and echoing the voices of our growing community louder than ever before.

Xoxo, Community & Networking Committee 

What is going on with the EU's mental health agenda?

By Aminata

In the EU landscape, two prominent health system models coexist: tax-based and insurance-based. Although EU Member States’ healthcare systems share broad similarities, each retains its own distinct character.

To help conceptualize health systems, in 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced a framework that depicts the six essential elements that all health systems should possess (WHO, Building Blocks). These include areas such as service delivery, health workforce, health information systems, access to essential medicines, vaccines, and technologies, financing, and leadership and governance.

The framework has been greatly criticized for its simplicity, but it still remains widely used as a reference model. In particular, mental health has long struggled to find its place within such a framework.

Integrating Mental Health into Health System Agendas

As your mental health column writer, I would like to invite our readers to explore the EU’s recent efforts to integrate and strengthen mental health considerations within the health system agendas of its Member States.

Across the EU, a common goal unites diverse national systems:the pursuit of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), ensuring that everyone has access to high-quality health services without financial hardship. However, similarly to the WHO Building Blocks framework, when talking about service delivery, services such as pharmaceutics, GP visits, physiotherapy, and even dental care outshine psychology or psychotherapy visits. 

Most of the time, they are not even included in insurance packages, almost as if they were second-category services, less important than the others. But is that accurate?

According to the Global Burden of Disease study (2017), neurological disorders represented the third leading cause of total disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in Europe (13.3%) and accounted for nearly one-fifth of all deaths (19.5%), showcasing the immense and growing burden of mental health conditions.

Global Vision 

In 2013, the World Health Assembly endorsed the Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan (CMHAP) 2013–2030, providing a global mandate for all WHO Member Statesto strengthen their mental health systems. The plan established clear global targets, including expanding service coverage, reducing suicide rates, and protecting human rights. However, because the CMHAP was designed for all 194 Member States, it naturally lacked region-specific guidance for implementation.

By 2018–2019, both the UN and WHO Member States began emphasizing the need to recognize mental health as a public health priority and to integrate it into efforts to achieve UHC at the national level. Yet, it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that this call translated into true political action.

The European Response: From EPW to EFAMH

In response to the pandemic, the WHO Regional Office for Europe established the European Program of Work (EPW) 2020–2025: United Action for Better Health. The EPW focuses on achieving UHC, protecting against health emergencies, and promoting health and well-being for all. While the EPW emphasized the importance of mental health, it did not provide a comprehensive, actionable mental health agenda. That gap was filled in 2021 with the adoption of the European Framework for Action on Mental Health (EFAMH) 2021–2025, a framework that translates both the global CMHAP and the regional EPW priorities into specific, measurable, and regionally relevant commitments.

The EFAMH is built around three main pillars:

1. Mental Health Service Delivery Transformation

2. Mental Health Workforce Development

3. Mental Health Financing and Technology

The EFAMH also identifies leadership and capacity building as essential mechanisms for successful implementation.

Leadership and Capacity Building: an example

A clear example of EFAMH’s operationalization is the 2nd WHO Autumn School on Quality of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Care, scheduled for 3–7 November 2025, in celebration of Early Childhood Mental Health Awareness Month.

The program provides a hands-on training experience for early-career professionals from ministries of health in Greece, neighboring southern European countries, and the Western Balkans. It is based on small-group, problem-based learning, using case studies and peer exchange. Participants will conclude the activity with presentations, feedback sessions, and certification. This intervention reflects the EFAMH’s focus on practical skill-building, collaboration, and quality enhancement in mental health systems across Europe.

Looking Ahead: Are Current Actions Enough?

Thanks to the WHO definition (1948), mental health and well-being considerations were introduced into the very concept of “health.” However, it took almost 50 years before the first WHO report dedicated entirely to mental health was published (The World Health Report 2001: Mental Health, New Understanding, New Hope). And it was only through global emergencies such as COVID-19 that these long-standing ideas were finally translated into concrete, operational actions.

From the humble opinion of this writer, recent WHO and EU initiatives are just a stepping stone toward achieving long-overdue goals. Current efforts may appear sufficient for now. Still, the question remains: Can these initiatives keep pace with the rapid advancement of digital technologies and the unpredictable nature of future global health crises? These emerging challenges could require stronger and more adaptive mental health responses than we might currently be prepared for, but that is a discussion for another time (keep or cut?). 

Agenda

13th of November - Guido Rasi event -@meersen.connect5 - 7.30-9pm

13th of November - Randwyck party - @defile - 9-00pm

21st of November - Friendsgiving potluck - @nido - 6.30-9pm

30th of November - Christmas market - @aachen - 2pm at Maastricht station

4th of December - Secret Sinterklaas - @fhml - members only

5th of December - Market yourself workshop - tbd

18th of December - Ice Skating and Christmas Dinner - @Vrijthof - members only

How to beat the game? You vs. seasonal depression

By Devanshi

A warm welcome to the second period of the academic year! Whether you’re a first-year diving into “Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases in the EU”, a second-year exploring “Lifestyle, Work and Health in the European Union”, or a third-year delving into “Health Policies at EU Level and Global Health Europe” – we’ve got a bunch of study tips to help you thrive. 

We know that with winter on its way, staying motivated to study can feel like a challenge – especially when the days get shorter and the cozy evenings start calling your name... and that soft blanket starts whispering louder than your lecture notes ever could. 

But don’t worry — we’ve gathered some practical, motivating, and downright cozy tips to help you stay focused, inspired, and balanced this season. 

“Pomodoro but cozier!” – Study in focused 25-minute bursts with short breaks in between, where you can take  quick stretch, a refill on your favourite warm drink, or just a little moment on TikTok. No one’s judging here!

“Mind your mind!” – Your mental health matters as much as your grades, so take some time for yourself, whether it be going on a walk or having a chat with a loved one!

“Buddy Buddy!” – Studying with classmates can keep you accountable, and also makes it fun! Explaining concepts to each other helps to solidify your understanding of the key concepts.

“Switch up your scenery!” – Try studying in a café, library, or even over at a friend’s. A change of environment can refresh your brain and make studying less of a chore.

Bruxelles: A crash course in politics, fries and people skills

By Johanna

It has already been a while, but our first-year excursion to Brussels felt like stepping straight into the heart of European decision-making and caffeine dependency :)

The European Parliament was as impressive as expected (still not entirely sure how it all actually works, but that's on being first year's I guess). Between endless group selfies, fascinating visits, and trying to remember everyone’s name, the trip left us all exhausted, but with a lot of amazing new memories. 

The highlight for me was chatting with EPH alumni. Hearing how their paths unfolded made me wonder where ours might lead even if we are still at the beginning. Overall, it was a very interesting mix of insight to the Brussels bubble, laughter, and mild chaos. A truly memorable start to our EPH journey. 

Admit it, you are lost

and there is nothing wrong with that. but let us help you find some direction

Professional Guideance by Sol 

To my dear EPH, 

Let me give you so unrequested but needed advice. 

First, lets begin with the freshers. Guys, its your first year, enjoy it but get involved. This may be the only uninterrupted year you have. Our editors picks per say of extracurriculars are: International Project Development by SHE & the Safe campus by Grensverleggers (just search this in google). Check them out!

Okay, now onto second years. Krakow is indeed great, Make sure to bond, to talk to your classmates that you havent before. And ... also for those going abroad for the minor, dont stress, it is done you have been placed and its going to happen, believe me. For those staying, this is such a great time to get to broaden your knowledge outside of your studies, just make sure to apply to enough course to cover your credits. For my third year, we are almost done! Unfortunately, since we live in a rat race, we have  to start thinking about the next step. No pressure, just a friendly reminder to research masters. Specially if you want to do your masters outside of the Netherlands, most application opened in October and close in January.

NOTE: Of course, dont take the advice too harshly, these were just somethings I wished I knew when I first started.  Trully, what matter is to learn from every mistake, every experience & to enjoy every uni day in your unique way. Whatever that may look like. That brings to an end, Professional Guidance by. Sol Gonzalez ... thank you for your time!