Pedro was born in Lisbon and lived with bipolar disorder from an early age. Rather than allowing this to silence him, he transformed his lived experience into a source of strength and determination. He became deeply engaged in patient advocacy in Portugal through Associação de Apoio aos Doentes Depressivos e Bipolares (ADEB), and went on to play an influential role in shaping mental health policy at the European level.
From 2008, Pedro served on the GAMIAN-Europe Board, becoming Treasurer in 2010 and, by 2012, elected President. Significantly, he was the first person with lived experience of a mental health condition to lead the organisation. In this role, he worked to strengthen the voice of patient organisations, promote cross-border cooperation, and ensure that mental health was given due priority in EU policy.
Alongside his work at GAMIAN-Europe, Pedro also held influential positions across the wider European health advocacy landscape:
- Vice-President of the European Brain Council (EBC)
- Board Member of the European Patients’ Forum (EPF)
- Board Member of the European Platform for Patients, Science and Industry (EPPOSI)
- Advisory Board Member of the EU Joint Action on Mental Health and Well-being
- Trainee of the EUPATI (European Patients’ Academy on Therapeutic Innovation) programme
Pedro was known for his ability to combine personal testimony with strategic policy advocacy. He consistently highlighted the importance of cooperation between national associations, the sharing of good practices, and the need to close the treatment gap across Europe. He called for mental health to be embedded into broader EU strategies and was a frequent speaker in the European Parliament Interest Group on Mental Health, where he promoted surveys, policy studies, and joint initiatives.
One of his most notable interventions came during a 2012 European Parliament workshop on “Mental Health in Times of Economic Crisis”, where he powerfully argued that the social and health impact of economic austerity could not be ignored, and that strong alliances of patient organisations were crucial to defend rights and access to care.
Pedro was also a contributor to academic and policy literature on mental health, including a chapter in a book addressing stigma and the social challenges faced by people with mental health conditions.
Pedro’s advocacy was characterised not only by his leadership positions but by his warmth, wisdom, and humanity. He was known for combining personal testimony with strategic insight, always reminding policymakers that mental health is about people’s lives and dignity. Many colleagues recall his generosity of spirit and his unwavering commitment to building bridges across sectors and countries. Outside of advocacy work, he was devoted to his wife Filomena, his children, and his extended family. He also gave back to his community as a youth rugby coach, instilling values of teamwork and resilience.
To honour his memory, in 2016 GAMIAN-Europe renamed its Good Practice Award as the Pedro Montellano Good Practice Award. This award recognises innovative initiatives that improve mental health care and support, reflecting Pedro’s lifelong belief in the power of sharing good practices to inspire change across Europe.
On this tenth anniversary, we remember Pedro with gratitude and respect. His legacy continues to inspire our work and mission to ensure that the voices of people with lived experience remain central in mental health advocacy. Looking ahead, GAMIAN-Europe is pleased to announce that the Pedro Montellano Good Practice Award will be reactivated in 2026, continuing his vision of celebrating and amplifying examples of patient-centred practice across Europe.
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