Join us for the Mental Health Summit at the European Parliament on 19 & 20 May
Mental Health Summit: Prevention and Recovery in Modern Society
European Parliament, Brussels | 19 – 20 MAY 2025
On the occasion of Mental Health Week, starting on 19 May 2025, MEP András Kulja, Vice Chair of ENVI, and SANT Vice Coordinator, together with MEP Zoltán Tarr, Head of Delegation, and CULT Vice-Coordinator, will host a two-day summit dedicated to mental health and recovery in modern society. Following the SANT Committee’s mission to Ukraine on the topic of mental health, MEPs will report back to the European Parliament to share their experiences and insights from the field. The EPA encourages its community and partners to register and participate in person or online.
Prevention and Recovery in Modern Society
The summit will bring together policymakers, mental health professionals, cultural leaders, and civil society organisations to explore how mental health challenges can be addressed in a rapidly changing and crisis-affected world. It will particularly emphasise support for vulnerable populations, trauma-informed rebuilding, and the role of culture and the arts in mental health recovery.
The discussions will aim to contribute to the ongoing EU policy debate on mental health as a societal priority, following the Commission’s Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health. A key outcome of the summit will be a renewed call for a dedicated EU Mental Health Action Plan, with a specific focus on youth.
The first day on Monday, May 19 from 16:00 to 19:45 will focus on the mental health impact of war and crisis, addressing support for at-risk populations and strategies for resilience and trauma-informed rebuilding. EPA Past President, Prof. Geert Dom will speak at the session on “Breaking the Stigma: Open Conversations on Mental Health.” The second day on Tuesday, May 20 from 09:00 to 12:30 will explore preventive measures, the role of cultural activities in mental well-being, and sex-specific mental health concerns, particularly focusing on women’s mental health.
Key MEPs from the SANT, CULT, and FEMM and HOUS Committees will join the discussions. Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport Glenn Micallef will deliver a keynote speech on May 20. The programme is co-curated with Culture Action Europe as part of the “CARE: Culture for Mental Health” project and is supported by the European Union and the European Cultural Foundation.
Evening reception
The summit will conclude with a Closing Reception, co-organised by MEP András Kulja, and The Parliament Magazine, emphasising the need for an EU Action Plan on Youth Mental Health. Focusing on cross-sector collaboration, policy innovation, and increased investment, the reception will underscore the importance of placing youth mental health at the forefront of the EU’s legislative agenda. Together, we will reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that young people across Europe have access to the support and resources they need to thrive.
The EPA’s participation at the Mental Health Summit continues our advocacy and engagement with EU policy and civil society representatives since the 11th EPA Forum in Madrid on 5 April, and our Trilogue of Mental Health partnership with EUFAMI and GAMIAN-Europe. The EPA is honoured to continue its discussions with the European Parliament and pleased to join speakers from our partners at the EBC, GAMIAN-Europe, and WHO Europe at the Summit.
