Everyday Actions for Better Mental and Physical Health: Insights from WHO Europe

By Dr. Styliani Spyridi, Consultant Psychiatrist

On July 17, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe released a comprehensive fact sheet titled *”Everyday Actions for Better Health – WHO Recommendations”*. This publication underscores the urgent need to tackle noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)—including mental health conditions—through simple, evidence-based lifestyle changes.

The NCD Epidemic: More Than Just Physical Health

According to the WHO, NCDs such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory illnesses, and mental disorders now account for over 80% of all deaths in the WHO European Region. While the physical toll is immense, the mental health impact is equally alarming. Conditions like depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline are closely linked to the same modifiable risk factors driving these chronic diseases.

Lifestyle and Brain Health: What We Know

As a psychiatrist, I find the convergence of mental and physical health especially compelling. The WHO highlights the following risk factors as key drivers of NCDs—each with direct implications for brain function:

* **Tobacco**: Use kills 1.1 million people annually in the Region, including 153,000 due to second-hand smoke. It’s also linked to increased risk of depression and cognitive decline.
* **Alcohol**: One in every 11 deaths in the Region is alcohol-related, contributing not only to liver and heart disease but also to psychiatric conditions, suicide, and violence.
* **Unhealthy diet and excess weight**: Overweight and obesity are widespread—affecting 1 in 4 school-aged children—and are associated with increased rates of depression, anxiety, and neuroinflammation.
* **Physical inactivity**: Nearly 30% of adults in the Region are not active enough. Yet regular physical activity is proven to reduce the risk of depression, dementia, and even schizophrenia.

Translating Policy into Psychiatry

WHO Europe’s approach includes two major policy initiatives:

Best Buys: Cost-effective interventions for population-level health improvement.
Quick Buys: 25 actionable policies designed to address risk factors and disease burden within a single political cycle.

These policies aim to reduce exposure to harmful substances, improve nutrition, and create environments where physical activity is accessible—laying the groundwork for improved mental health outcomes across the lifespan.

What This Means for Psychiatry

As clinicians, we often encounter the downstream effects of systemic health issues. However, the WHO’s findings reinforce the need for preventive psychiatry—intervening not just with medications and therapy, but also with education, advocacy, and lifestyle guidance.

In my practice, I encourage patients to think of their mental health as integrated with their physical habits: what they eat, how much they move, whether they smoke, drink, or sleep well. These aren’t just lifestyle tips—they are psychiatric interventions.

Final Thoughts

The WHO Europe publication is a timely reminder that health systems—and mental health professionals—must move beyond symptom management. By promoting healthy environments and empowering individuals to make better choices, we can address the root causes of mental and physical illness alike.

To read the full WHO report, visit:
**[Everyday actions for better health – WHO recommendations (WHO/Europe, 17 July 2025)](https://www.who.int/europe/news-room/fact-sheets/item/everyday-actions-for-better-health—who-recommendations)**