For Brain Awareness Week (BAW) 2025, GAMIAN-Europe continues its ongoing commitment to empowering individuals with lived experiences of mental and brain health challenges. This initiative, which has been a part of our efforts for the past 3 years, will once again equip patients with the tools to become advocates for the interconnectedness of mental and brain health, fostering greater understanding and reducing stigma.
The initiative centers on providing targeted training and co-creating advocacy materials that advocate for mental and brain health. By engaging and empowering patients directly in the creation of impactful campaigns, the project aims to give them the platform and knowledge to raise awareness during Brain Awareness Week and beyond.
Project Activities:
1. “Brain in Action” Challenge
A dynamic social media challenge is launched, inviting participants to share their actions to support their brain and mental health. Activities such as physical exercises, hobbies, or mindfulness practices will be encouraged to show the active role individuals can play in maintaining their brain health. With the hashtag #EUBrainInAction, the challenge will create a visually engaging, collective campaign where participants can join in and spread awareness.
2. Co-creation of Campaign Materials – Mental-Brain Health Advocacy Roadmap
A clear, visually engaging advocacy roadmap is developed, offering simple actions individuals can take to advocate for mental and brain health. Launched during BAW, this first phase of the roadmap will include actionable tips for engaging policymakers, with next coming phases covering community leaders, and educational institutions. The roadmap will be available as a downloadable PDF or infographic, making it easy to share both online and offline.
The materials provide actionable advocacy steps, and offer guidance on how to share these messages effectively across social media platforms. Read here.
A Commitment to Advocacy and Awareness
For Brain Awareness Week each year, there has been an increasing participation, with patients taking an active role in spreading awareness and advocating for mental and brain health. As the project progresses into its third year, GAMIAN-Europe remains committed to reducing stigma and fostering greater understanding by empowering individuals to become advocates in their communities and promote a deeper understanding of the mental-brain health connection.
For more information on GAMIAN-Europe’s ongoing projects and initiatives, please follow its social media LinkedIn, Facebook, X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube.