On September 29 and 30, we hosted the 2nd annual meeting of the Joint Action Mental Health Together – MENTOR in Bilbao, with the participation of 58 representatives from institutions, public administrations, and organizations from more than 10 European countries.
MENTOR is a European Joint Action funded by the EU4Health program that aims to improve mental health in Europe by developing policies, digital tools, care models, community programs, and evaluation mechanisms that can be implemented and scaled up across different countries. During its first 18 months, the project has moved from the planning phase to an active phase of development and implementation, laying the groundwork for transforming the way mental health is promoted, prevented, and addressed at the European level.
Biosistemak participates in MENTOR by leading the evaluation work package (WP3), a key responsibility for measuring the project’s progress, analyzing the impact of the activities carried out, and ensuring that the results generated provide solid evidence for improving mental health policies and interventions. In addition, we contribute across the board to the more technical activities, including knowledge generation, the evaluation of pilot actions, and the promotion of methodologies that foster the sustainability and transfer of the solutions developed.
After two years of work, MENTOR is now in a phase of consolidation and validation of results. During this period, a solid framework for coordination, evaluation, and sustainability has been established, enabling coordinated progress across all participating countries. Key achievements include the development of a European guide on the “Mental Health in All Policies” approach, currently in the pilot phase; the identification of effective interventions targeting young people and vulnerable groups; the design of strategies to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues; the active participation of people with lived experience in mental health services and policies; and the development of a European Model for an Integrated Mental Health Care Pathway, now ready for implementation in various national contexts. At the same time, the project is promoting innovative digital solutions, such as the HappApp for promoting emotional well-being and preventing loneliness, as well as the development of a repository of best practices focused on mental health issues. Furthermore, work continues to ensure that the results and lessons learned can be sustainably integrated into European health and social care systems, strengthening the link between scientific evidence and public policy.
In this new phase, MENTOR is focusing its efforts on consolidating the results achieved, advancing the implementation of pilot actions, developing training materials, and preparing for the future integration and sustainability of the results through national and regional mental health systems.
The recent meeting in Bilbao allowed us to review the progress made during the first two years of the project and to continue promoting solutions that contribute to improving mental health through a comprehensive and sustainable approach. It also provided an opportunity to strengthen synergies with other European initiatives in the field of mental health by presenting projects such as ABC – ABCs of Mental Health, Migration in Mind (MinM), EASE-Y, and Mind the Mum, thereby fostering the exchange of experiences, the identification of common challenges, and the search for collaborative approaches that help maximize the impact of the results achieved and accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions across Europe. The forum also included a Sustainability Board dedicated to discussing the sustainability and scalability of MENTOR’s results, with the participation of Ane Fullaondo, Scientific Director at Biosistemak, as an expert in sustainability, contributing to the exchange of perspectives on the integration of the project’s results into health systems and public policies.
Hosting this annual meeting in the Basque Country has provided an opportunity to highlight our region’s commitment to promoting mental health, facilitate the exchange of experiences among European professionals and institutions, and strengthen international collaboration in a priority area for public health.
