EUCOMS Webinar Highlights the Need for More Equitable Mental Health Access Across Europe

Access to mental health care remains uneven across Europe, particularly for people in vulnerable situations who face structural, social, and systemic barriers to receiving support. In January, our partner European Community based Mental Health Service Providers (EUCOMS) Network hosted a webinar bringing together experts from research, healthcare practice, and lived experience to discuss how access to care and social prescribing can be strengthened across Europe.

The session brought together a diverse panel of speakers, including Suna Su Aksay-Gut, Senior Psychiatrist at Central Institute of Mental Health (ZI Mannheim) which serves as the pilot leader for Germany in EQUICARES; Farhad Rezvani, Scientific Coordinator of Social Prescribing EU (EU-SP) at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin who shared insights from the Social Prescribing EU initiative, a recognised synergy project of EQUICARES and Callum Ross, who shared a lived experience perspective. The discussion was moderated by Ionela Petrea from EUCOMS.

During the webinar, speakers explored key barriers and facilitators to mental health care access, drawing on findings from the EQUICARES and the Social Prescribing EU project.

The discussion also focused on the importance of stronger collaboration between mental health services, primary care, and community support systems. Speakers highlighted that more integrated and person-centered approaches are essential if Europe is to build accessible, inclusive, and resilient mental health systems.

The webinar brought together professionals, policymakers, peer experts, and organisations from across Europe, creating an engaging exchange on how to reduce inequalities and improve support for those who need it most.

Watch the whole discussion here.