Celebrating the First Anniversary of MentBox
The consortium of the European project “The Modular Mental Health Toolbox” (MentBox) met on 11–12 September 2025 at the University of Primorska, Andrej Marušič Institute in Koper, Slovenia. The two-day Plenary Meeting marked the project’s first anniversary. Partners from across Europe came together to review progress and plan the next steps.
Our Representatives at the Meeting
Karl Lavò, Policy and Project Officer, and Erik Van der Eycken, EU Projects Manager at GAMIAN-Europe, represented our organisation. Together with partners, they advanced discussions on the Modular Mental Health Toolbox (MH-Toolbox), an EU co-funded initiative that develops evidence-based interventions for depression, suicide prevention, and non-clinical distress.
The MH-Toolbox is adaptable to national contexts across Europe and supported by a digital handbook that offers practical guidance for policymakers and professionals.
Community Day 2025
Alongside the Plenary Meeting, the Community Day 2025 took place at the University of Primorska. The event brought together professionals from education, healthcare, social services, and NGOs who support adolescents in distress.
The programme included:
Practical workshops
Knowledge exchange sessions
Networking opportunities
These activities strengthened cross-sector collaboration and encouraged new partnerships in youth mental health support.
Keynote Highlight: Two Faces of Depression
One of the highlights of Community Day was the closing keynote session, “Two Faces of Depression: Personal Experience and Professional Insight.”
Prof. Ulrich Hegerl, President of the European Alliance Against Depression (EAAD), presented the clinical perspective.
Erik Van der Eycken shared his personal journey with depression, giving participants powerful insight into the lived experience of mental illness.
Together, their contributions combined scientific expertise and personal testimony, offering a comprehensive view of depression and its challenges.
Progress After the First Year
In its first year, the MentBox project achieved significant progress. Partners researched and adapted mental health interventions across Europe, ensuring the tools are culturally relevant and effective for vulnerable groups. With the MH-Toolbox and its handbook, the project supports EU Member States in implementing evidence-based mental health strategies.
👉 Learn more about MentBox: https://mentbox.eu
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