On May 15th, IMPROVA took part in an insightful webinar “How to Get Co-Creation Right in Mental Health Research,” organized by ADVANCE Project as part of European Mental Health Week. This online event gathered experts from various prominent Horizon Europe projects focussed on mental health to discuss the vital role of co-creation in mental health research.
The following projects and their respective representatives featured in the panel:
- ADVANCE: Claudia de Freitas, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto
- SMILE: Mel McKendrick, Heriot-Watt University
- Mentbest: Arlinda Cerga Pashoja, St Mary’s University
- Reconnected: Karthrin Schopf, Ruhr University Bochum
- ASP-Belong: Kate Woodcock, University of Birmingham
- BootStRaP: Celia Sales, University of Porto
- IMPROVA: Rodrigo Antunes Lima, Sant Joan de Déu
The discussion covered a range of issues, with panelists answering questions on topics such as engaging stakeholders early in projects, avoiding tokenism, balancing scientific rigor with the adaptability needed for co-creation, measuring the success of co-creation efforts, creating safe spaces for collaboration, and ensuring diversity in co-creation activities.
The event concluded with a lively Q&A session, allowing participants to interact directly with the panelists through a live chat forum. This interaction enriched the discussion with diverse questions and perspectives.
Our participation in this webinar highlights our dedication to advancing mental health research through collaborative and inclusive methods. The session marked the first of a series of webinars entitled ‘Mental health dialogues: boosting mental health in times of change’ which will act as a platform where researchers, practitioners, and policymakers converge to discuss the latest trends, challenges, and advancements in mental health care. These discussions will be held every four months and aim to produce actionable recommendations for advancing the field of mental health research.
Watch the full webinar here.