Gamian-Europe attended the Global Mental Health Community Summit 2025 (GMCS25) organised by Boehringer Ingelheim. The event was held from 21–23 October in Germany.
The three-day international gathering brought together patient advocacy groups, mental health professionals, policymakers, researchers, caregivers, and people with lived experience. Together, they shared ideas, exchanged best practices, and explored practical ways to improve mental healthcare worldwide.
Redefining Mental Healthcare Together
The theme for GMCS25 was “Redefining Mental Healthcare Together.” The summit aimed to build more person-centred and inclusive mental health systems.
Discussions encouraged a move beyond traditional care models that often fail to meet individual needs or consider comorbidities. Participants also explored how evidence-based and recovery-oriented approaches can better support people living with serious mental illness.
Moreover, speakers underlined the importance of collaboration between patients, clinicians, and policymakers. Their shared goal was to shape stronger and more effective mental health strategies.
The summit also created space to discuss major challenges. These included access to care, stigma reduction, and the integration of mental health into wider public health and social policy agendas.
Gamian-Europe’s Contribution
Representatives from Gamian-Europe joined several sessions on advocacy and reform. The delegation included Péter Kéri, President; Nigel Olisa, Executive Director; Erik Van der Eycken, EU Research Project Manager; and Chiara Samele, Research Consultant. The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that people with lived experience are recognised as equal partners in policy development, research, and service design.
A Shared Commitment to Global Collaboration
Throughout the summit, participants exchanged innovative ideas and shared practical solutions to global mental health challenges. For instance, several sessions highlighted co-designed care pathways, peer-led support programmes, and new ways to improve mental health literacy and inclusion.
The event fostered an atmosphere of mutual learning and constructive collaboration. As a result, delegates left with renewed motivation to make mental healthcare more responsive, humane, and sustainable.
For Gamian-Europe, the summit was an important opportunity to strengthen partnerships and amplify patient voices.
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