Integrating mental wellbeing into lung health care: new mental wellbeing resources launched for people living with lung conditions

ELF has launched a new information page on mental wellbeing and lung health, alongside a Mental Health First Aid Kit, to help people living with lung conditions support their emotional and psychological health. The resources were produced by the ELF Mental Health Working Group and coincide with a letter published in the European Respiratory Journal calling for mental health to be integrated as a core component of lung health care. 

Approximately one in four people with lung conditions experience anxiety or depression, which negatively impacts condition management and quality of life. Despite this, mental health support remains inconsistently established in routine care for lung conditions. 

New resources now available 

The newly launched ‘Mental wellbeing and lung health’ information page explains the connection between lung conditions and mental wellbeing, offering practical guidance on recognising changes in emotional health and knowing where to find support. Alongside this, the Mental Health First Aid Kit provides accessible tools for monitoring and maintaining mental wellbeing day-to-day. 

Both resources were developed by the ELF Mental Health Working Group to address the significant gap in mental health support for people living with lung conditions. 

Research highlights urgent need 

The launch coincides with a correspondence article published in the European Respiratory Journal, which outlines how the new mental health initiative demonstrates the need to integrate psychologists as a core profession in lung health research, treatment and policy. 

During European Mental Health Week 2026, the European Lung Foundation and the European Respiratory Society launched a Mental Health Statement and Advocacy Pack, calling for mental health support to be treated as an essential part of lung health care rather than an optional addition. 

Seven priorities for action 

The letter highlights seven key priorities from the statement: 

• Integrate mental health into lung health care – include psychological assessment and support in standard care pathways 

• Support patients and caregivers – develop multilingual, evidence-based guides and resources 

• Measure progress on mental health outcomes – improve screening for psychological distress in lung health settings 

• Invest in research and data – fund studies to identify effective interventions and understand disparities 

• Empower patient organisations – provide funding and training to expand mental health services 

• Tackle stigma and raise awareness – launch public campaigns to normalise mental health discussions 

• Influence policy – advocate for equitable access to mental health support across all regions 

What the Mental Health First Aid Kit covers 

The Mental Health First Aid Kit provides practical tools for monitoring and supporting mental wellbeing, including: 

• Regular self-check-ins – simple questions to assess how you are feeling, what you need, and what actions can help 

• Recognising warning signs – guidance on identifying early changes in wellbeing such as fatigue, sleep changes, difficulty concentrating, or withdrawing from activities 

• Finding help – advice on connecting with healthcare providers, support groups, mental health professionals and patient organisations 

The resource emphasises that mental wellbeing is about understanding emotions, coping with challenges, maintaining relationships and taking part in meaningful activities. 

Read the original research paper:

Integrating mental health into respiratory care: reflections on the ELF/ERS Mental Health Statement and Advocacy Pack: https://publications.ersnet.org/content/erj/68/2/2601146 

Access the new resources: 

• Mental Wellbeing and Lung Health information page 

• Mental Health First Aid Kit 

• Mental Health Advocacy Pack