As part of Brain Awareness Week 2026, we are proud to launch Brain & Mind Journeys, a new digital storytelling initiative that brings the connection between brain health and mental health to life through lived experiences from across Europe.
👉 Explore the project here: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/02326a9a04ab4c86aec50d52835f5f99
A Europe-wide platform for lived experience
Brain & Mind Journeys is an interactive storytelling experience designed to place people at the centre of the conversation on brain and mental health. Through a dynamic, map-based platform, the project connects 22 personal stories from 17 European countries, highlighting the diversity of experiences, challenges, and perspectives across the continent.
Each contribution, whether written, audio, or video, offers a unique insight into daily life with a mental health condition. By combining personal narratives with accessible contextual information, the project creates a space where lived experience and knowledge can converge, fostering greater understanding among policymakers, professionals, and the wider public.
At its core, the initiative aims to:
- Humanise mental and brain health by showcasing real experiences behind statistics
- Highlight diversity across Europe, reflecting different systems, cultures, and realities
- Promote dialogue and reduce stigma through storytelling
Building on a strong legacy of Brain Awareness Week initiatives
This year’s launch builds on GAMIAN-Europe’s continued commitment to advancing awareness and advocacy around brain and mental health during Brain Awareness Week.
- 2025 – Advocacy Roadmap
GAMIAN-Europe co-created a practical and accessible advocacy roadmap, equipping individuals with lived experience to engage policymakers and contribute to decision-making processes. This initiative focused on empowering patient advocates with tools, knowledge, and confidence to influence change across Europe. - 2024 – Interactive Brain & Mental Health Resource
An interactive educational platform explored the relationship between brain function and mental health conditions, grounded in the biopsychosocial model. Through expert insights, stories, and accessible explanations, the project supported a deeper understanding of mental health as a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors. - 2023 – Brain Health Guide
A co-created guide highlighted key pillars of brain health, including sleep and relaxation, mental fitness, and social interaction. Developed with GAMIAN-Europe members, it combined lived experience with scientific knowledge to provide practical, everyday tips for supporting well-being..
Join the journey
We invite policymakers, stakeholders, healthcare professionals, and the wider public to explore the platform and engage with the stories shared.
👉 Discover Brain & Mind Journeys:
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/02326a9a04ab4c86aec50d52835f5f99
For more information on GAMIAN-Europe’s ongoing projects and initiatives, please follow its social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube.
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