Mental Health Europe at the European Health Forum Gastein: Putting Solidarity and Mental Health at the Heart of Europe’s Future

This year’s European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) brought together leaders, policymakers, and experts under the theme “Rethinking solidarity in health – healing Europe’s fractured social contract.”

The idea of a “social contract” may sound abstract, but it affects us all in very real ways. It’s the everyday understanding that we are bound together through mutual responsibilities: supporting public services, contributing to our communities, and ensuring that no one is left behind. Yet, in a time of growing polarisation, disinformation, and political division, this contract feels increasingly fragile. EHFG 2025 invited participants to ask: how can health – as one of the most fundamental needs and rights – help rebuild trust, solidarity, and cohesion in Europe?

Representing Mental Health Europe (MHE), our Director Kadri Soova joined two important conversations to ensure that mental health was firmly placed on this agenda.

Solidarity in action: lessons from Ukraine

Kadri spoke on the panel “Solidarity in action on mental health and psychosocial support” which highlighted one of the largest mental health responses ever organised in Europe: the collaboration between the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the European Commission to support people affected by the war in Ukraine.

The initiative mobilised 28 national societies and local partners, showing what true solidarity looks like when mental health support is recognised as essential. Kadri stressed that Europe must learn from this unprecedented effort with a mental health across all policies approach: we need to build resilient, accessible, and proactive mental health systems before a crisis hits, not only in response to emergencies.

“The EU has a big role to play. We need a comprehensive long term mental health strategy, that’s linked to long term investment, and accountability and political priority.”

Kadri Soova, MHE Director

Sharing the digital space: protecting youth mental health

Kadri also contributed to “Share the space: digital determinants, youth participation, and responsible governance”. This discussion explored how digital environments shape young people’s mental health – sometimes positively, but too often negatively.

The debate raised a difficult but crucial question: who holds responsibility for making digital spaces safe – parents, governments, or industry? Drawing on new evidence and youth perspectives, the session called for more coherent and coordinated EU-wide policies. Kadri underlined the urgency of moving beyond fragmented initiatives and ensuring that young people themselves are actively involved in shaping the digital environments that impact their well-being.

Why this matters

Mental health has often been left at the margins of European health debates. Kadri’s contributions at EHFG reminded participants that without strong mental health systems, the social contract cannot be healed. Solidarity means recognising mental health as a fundamental part of health – whether in times of crisis, like the war in Ukraine, or in everyday life, especially for young people navigating today’s digital realities.

As Europe looks for ways to rebuild trust and cohesion, MHE will continue to ensure that mental health is seen not as an afterthought, but as a cornerstone of a fairer, healthier, and more resilient Europe.