Young Leaders Face-to-Face Meeting: Empowering Youth Voices in Mental Health Advocacy

On 24–25 October 2025, Mental Health Europe (MHE) welcomed young leaders from across different countries to Brussels for an inspiring Young Leaders Face-to-Face Meeting. The two-day gathering brought together passionate young advocates committed to strengthening youth voices, self-expression, and mental health advocacy at national and European levels.

The meeting was part of the Youth Leadership Programme, funded by the Rare Impact Fund, which aims to raise awareness and knowledge about mental health among young people while empowering them to become confident advocates and changemakers within their communities.

Day 1: Self-Expression, Creativity, and Advocacy in Action

The first day focused on capacity-building and creative leadership, with an engaging Training of Trainers led by Jeta Bejtullahu. Through interactive sessions, young leaders explored the power of self-expression, identifying barriers and discovering how creativity can support resilience, confidence, and impactful communication.

Participants worked collaboratively on creative advocacy campaigns, learning how to craft compelling messages, negotiate ideas, and advocate effectively for mental health causes. The first day concluded with a hands-on team-building challenge — the classic Spaghetti and Marshmallow Tower. This energising activity sparked laughter, collaboration, and problem-solving, reinforcing the importance of teamwork and creative thinking.

Day 2: Reflecting, Planning, and Looking Ahead to 2026

The second day of the meeting focused on alignment, planning, and open dialogue between the MHE team and the Young Leaders. MHE presented the implementation plan, upcoming priorities, and key activities, providing clarity on the project’s direction and shared goals for the coming period.

Young leaders also took part in a capacity-building session on a psychosocial and rights-based approach to mental health, which sparked a rich and constructive discussion on the importance of lived experience in shaping meaningful mental health advocacy. The exchange of perspectives reinforced the value of co-creation and youth-led insights within the programme.

The day continued with a collaborative conversation where young leaders shared their expectations, ideas, and reflections, contributing to a stronger sense of mutual understanding and partnership. Together, the group looked ahead to planning for 2026, identifying ways to enhance collaboration, communication, and collective impact.

Youth Voices in Action 

During the two-day meeting, a short video was created to capture what young leaders were learning, sharing, and experiencing together in Brussels. The footage highlights moments of training, collaboration, and exchange, offering an authentic snapshot of youth-led mental health advocacy in action.

The video opens with a slam poetry text written by one of the young leaders, Maren Mitterer, setting the tone through words inspired by lived experience, self-expression, and mental health. Together, the visuals and poetry reflect the energy, creativity, and collective spirit of the Young Leaders Face-to-Face Meeting.