Mental health prevention in Poland and selected European Union member states: a comparative analysis of systemic interventions

Mental health disorders affect approximately 84 million people in the European Union (18.4% of the total EU population), with significant variations in preventive care approaches across member states. Despite growing policy attention, significant implementation gaps persist, particularly in Central and Eastern European countries. This study examines mental health prevention strategies in Poland in comparison with selected EU member states.

A comprehensive document analysis was conducted examining strategic documents, legal acts, and reports from 2013-2025. We analyzed national health programs, legal regulations, and reports from international organizations (WHO, EU) across Poland and ten purposively selected EU member states. Search strategy covered policy databases (WHO, European Commission, national government websites, OECD, Eurostat), academic literature (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus), and grey literature. Total documents reviewed: 127 policy documents, 89 peer-reviewed articles, 34 statistical reports. Final inclusion: 42 policy documents, 28 peer-reviewed articles, 12 statistical reports.

Significant differences were identified in mental health prevention approaches between Poland and other EU countries. In Poland, 25% of individuals with mental health conditions receive adequate care, with 8.9 psychiatrists and 28.2 nurses per 100,000 population compared to 11.5 psychiatrists and 31.6 nurses per 100,000 in Czech Republic. Nordic countries demonstrate the highest level of comprehensive preventive programs. Universal prevention programs exist in Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Lithuania, Latvia, Portugal, Luxembourg, and Sweden, while Poland lacks systematic solutions despite policy support.

Systematic implementation of evidence-based mental health interventions is necessary in Poland, including early intervention, intersectoral cooperation, and targeted mental health programs for children and adolescents aged 7-18 years. The study highlights the need for comprehensive policy integration and increased resource allocation to achieve parity with leading EU member states.