On February 4, 2025, the third Mental Health Dialogues webinar, titled “Mental Health for All: How to Reach Vulnerable Groups in Research,” brought together experts and researchers to discuss inclusivity in mental health studies. Hosted by MENTBEST, the event drew over 100 registrations.
Defining Vulnerability in Mental Health
Prof. Benedikt L. Amann, MENTBEST’s Principal Investigator in Spain, opened the webinar by defining vulnerable groups as those facing increased risks to their physical, psychological, or social well-being—often due to socio-economic, political, or environmental factors. He emphasised the importance of understanding these groups to develop more inclusive and effective mental health interventions.
“We must include the entire community—including people with diverse needs—to truly assess the real-world impact of our interventions”, said Prof. Amann.
Opening Reflections
Prof. José Luis Ayuso Mateos from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid highlighted that at-risk populations often experience higher health burdens and face reduced access to care. He called for a population-level approach to address systemic inequality and improve access to mental health services.
Project Spotlights: Tailoring Research to Diverse Needs
In a series of Lightning Talks, representatives from seven EU Horizon Europe projects under the call “Boosting Mental Health in Times of Change” presented their targeted work with priority communities. The following experts from each project shared their strategies, challenges, and innovative approaches for ensuring inclusivity in research and intervention:
- Maria Marti Castaner from the Copenhagen University (ADVANCE Project)
- Valeria Motta from the University of Birmingham (ASP-Belong Project)
- Ella Sheltawy from the Euro Youth Mental Health (BOOTSTRAP Project)
- Hester Sijtsma from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (IMPROVA Project)
- Daniela Gatto from the Hospital del Mar Research Institute (MENTBEST Project)
- Minja Westerlund from the University of Turku (RECONNECTED Project)
- Gwendolyn Mayer from the Universität Heidelberg (SMILE Project)
Moderated Discussion: Deepening the Dialogue on Inclusion and Engagement
Following the compelling lightning talks, the webinar transitioned into a moderated discussion, providing an opportunity for the speakers to delve more deeply into shared challenges and emerging insights. With a diverse panel representing a spectrum of mental health projects across Europe, the conversation explored critical questions around engaging priority communities, rethinking language, and the realities of co-creation in practice.
Guided by thoughtful questions, the panellists unpacked the complexities of:
- Building trust with communities often left out of research.
- Balancing scientific rigor with authentic participation.
- Ensuring interventions are not just accessible but also meaningful and culturally relevant.
The discussion offered a rich tapestry of perspectives—from youth-led design to digital innovation and community-based outreach—all united by a shared commitment: Mental health solutions must be created with the people they aim to support, not just for them.
The discussion also focused on the growing importance of peer-to-peer engagement, particularly in co-creating solutions with individuals who have lived experience of mental health conditions. Carmen Llanes, a passionate peer support worker and co-creator of the MENTBEST project, shared insights alongside Ella Sheltawy from BootStRap.
A Global Audience
The webinar concluded with a Q&A session. Most interaction came from participants in Spain, Germany, and Portugal, but the audience spanned Europe, Asia, and Africa, reflecting global interest in inclusive mental health research.
Mental Health Dialogues
Mental Health Dialogues is a webinar series jointly organised by seven huge EU Horizon Europe projects on ‘Mental Health in Times of Change’, ADVANCE, SMILE, MENTBEST, Reconnected, IMPROVA, BOOTSTRAP, and ASP-belong, all powered by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). The series is a space where researchers, practitioners, policymakers and end-users come together to discuss the latest trends, challenges, and advancements in mental health care. You can pre-register here: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/JointWebinar2024