Culture at the Heart of Mental Health Policy

In Brussels on 20 May 2025, culture will take centre stage at a high-level Mental Health Summit hosted at the European Parliament during European Mental Health Week. Co-organised by Culture Action Europe, with support from the European Union and the European Cultural Foundation (ECF), the event will make the case for a dedicated EU Mental Health Action Plan that places cultural and artistic engagement at the heart of prevention and recovery efforts, especially for Europe’s youth.

The summit, hosted by MEP András Kulja, will open with contributions from Commissioner Glenn Micallef (Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport) and MEP Zoltán Tarr (Culture and Education Committee). Two panels will explore how cultural initiatives promote early mental health prevention and support treatment and recovery across European communities.

Confirmed speakers include Professor Daisy Fancourt (University College London), Niels Fietje (WHO Europe), and practitioners from pioneering initiatives such as Arts on Prescription and CultureForHealth.

As mental health challenges rise across Europe, culture is being recognised not just as a source of enrichment but as vital infrastructure for care, connection, and resilience. For ECF, this moment reflects a broader commitment to embedding culture into the systems that shape daily life. The summit’s discussions will contribute to ongoing EU policy debates, emphasising that building healthier, more resilient societies must include investing in cultural wellbeing.

Learn more about the full event agenda here.