On 14 October 2026, GAMIAN-Europe participated in the conference “A United Europe for Psychiatry: From Research to Care”, held at the European Parliament in Brussels. The event brought together researchers, clinicians, European policymakers, and representatives of patient and family organisations to discuss how stronger European cooperation can accelerate psychiatric research and translate scientific advances into better mental health care.
Hosted by Member of the European Parliament Tilly Metz and led by Professor Marion Leboyer, Scientific Director of PEPR PROPSY, the conference was organised by the French precision psychiatry research programme PEPR PROPSY, co-led by Inserm and CNRS with the support of Fondation FondaMental. GAMIAN-Europe was among the organisations associated with the initiative, alongside the European Psychiatric Association (EPA), the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP), and EUFAMI.
Bringing lived experience into the conversation
GAMIAN-Europe President Tin Pongrac contributed to the session bringing together different perspectives on the future of psychiatry in Europe.
Representing the perspective of people with lived experience of mental health conditions, his intervention focused on improving access to innovation and advancing co-creation.
This perspective is particularly important as Europe explores new approaches to psychiatric research and treatment. People living with mental health conditions should be actively involved in shaping research priorities, contributing to the development and evaluation of innovations, and ensuring that advances respond to their needs and improve their everyday lives.
From research advances to better care
A central theme of the conference was the need to bridge the gap between scientific discoveries and their implementation in mental health services.
Discussions highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration between European research institutions, clinical networks, policymakers, and organisations representing people affected by mental health conditions.
The conference also addressed the need to improve cross-border research cooperation, facilitate data sharing, support the validation of emerging diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, and reduce inequalities in access to innovation.
These discussions contributed to a broader set of recommendations for European action, including more coordinated research efforts, stronger clinical validation of promising innovations, and the meaningful involvement of people with lived experience and their families throughout the research process.
Towards stronger European cooperation
The conference was accompanied by a policy brief outlining recommendations to strengthen European cooperation in psychiatric research and innovation and support the translation of validated advances into clinical care.
The proposals call for building on existing European initiatives and research infrastructures, supporting multinational collaboration, and ensuring that new approaches are not only scientifically validated but also accessible to the people who need them.
For GAMIAN-Europe, this means ensuring that people with lived experience remain central to discussions on the future of psychiatric research and care, and that innovation ultimately translates into meaningful improvements in treatment, choice, accessibility, and quality of life.
Read more
The conference organisers have published a press release and policy brief outlining the main discussions and recommendations.
Press release: From research to care: European voices call for faster innovation in psychiatry — Download
European policy brief: From Fragmentation to Integration — Read the policy brief
Conference: A United Europe for Psychiatry: From Research to Care — Event information
