site.btaSpending on Mental Health in Bulgaria Accounts for About 2% of Health Budget, Compared to Over 5% in EU, Says MEP Vigenin

Spending on mental health in Bulgaria represents around 2% of the national health budget, while in the European Union it exceeds 5%, said Kristian Vigenin, MEP from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, during a conference entitled "Mental Health and Social Care in the EU and Bulgaria - Legal, Ethical and Social Aspects".

The discussion was organized by Vigenin and Dr. Tsveteslava Galabova, Director of the St Ivan Rilski State Psychiatric Hospital.

According to the European Commission, one in five Europeans suffers from some form of mental disorder, and mental illnesses are now among the leading causes of disability and social isolation. About 15% of Bulgaria’s population has experienced a mental disorder at some point in their lives, with the situation particularly worrying among young people, Vigenin noted, citing data from the National Centre of Public Health and Analyses.

He recalled that the EU Strategy on Mental Health, adopted in 2023, sets key priorities such as equal access to care, integration of mental health across public policies, combating stigma and discrimination, and promoting mental well-being in the workplace. The Commission requires member states to incorporate mental health into their national recovery and resilience plans, he added.

Insufficient funding, a shortage of specialists, with only about 400 practicing psychiatrists, and outdated infrastructure remain serious challenges, Vigenin said. He emphasized the lack of effective coordination between the health and social systems, as well as persistent social stigma toward people with mental illnesses.

“We managed to convince National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova to initiate a legislative study, which will be another step toward creating a sound legal framework for future action,” Vigenin noted.

Dr. Tsveteslava Galabova added that changing the public and institutional attitude toward mental illness remains one of the most pressing issues that requires long-term efforts.