EAU joins forces to highlight the impact of incontinence on mental health
In the 2022 State of the European Union address, European Commission President von den Leyen announced a new European Mental Health Strategy. As a result of this announcement, the European Commission has begun to develop a programme of work.
The preliminary strategy, including draft work streams have been published, and a call for response and evidence has been launched. The EAU has responded to this important strategic consultation.
While the EAU warmly welcomes the Commission’s initiative on mental health, it has joined forces with members of the EAU Patient Advocacy Group (EPAG) such as the World Federation of Incontinence and Pelvic Problems and the International Continence Society to highlight the bi-directional relationship between mental health and incontinence. Mental health problems can trigger incontinence, and the difficulties faced by people living with incontinence and their loved ones can lead to stigmatisation, stress and isolation, that fuels mental health challenges.
Therefore, we strongly believe that the link between urological symptoms and mental health conditions needs recognition in any comprehensive mental health strategy at EU level and should be addressed through a cross-cutting theme on co-morbidities, including incontinence.
Furthermore, research is urgently needed. We therefore call for translational research on mental health, including its related co-morbidities such as incontinence to be included as a separate, additional workstream in the strategy.
Read the full statement here.
