Discussion: Substance use and mental health disorders in Europe

The discussion with the panel will focus around the key issues highlighted in the different presentations, the extent and nature of the problem, how this has changed during the pandemic and what are the responses that countries should implement to target mental health disorders including substance use disorder (SUD) in an effective way.

Structured diagnosis and standardized treatment of the psychiatric spectrum is required to enable stabilization – the coverage for expanses for a multiprofessional staff needs to be provided, as early treatment yields to a reduction of high indirect costs caused through SUD.

The output of the session should be used to inform planning and implementation of appropriate interventions for people who use drugs with a comorbid, mostly already preexisting psychiatric disorder.