EAAD-Best Final Event in Brussels
The EAAD-Best consortium held the final project event in Brussels on March 4th, 2024. The main objective of the EAAD-Best project was to improve care for patients with depression and to prevent suicidal behaviour in Europe. It was achieved by implementing the European Alliance Against Depression’s community-based 4-level intervention for the first time to target regions in Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Italy and Poland and to further regions in Hungary, Ireland and Spain Learn more…
EAAD workshop in Szeged, Hungary
The Végeken Mental Health Foundation- the Hungarian EAAD partner held a workshop in Szeged on the 26th of October with the participation of about 80 social workers, including nursery, kindergarten and school representatives, family helpers of the Family and Child Welfare Service, case managers, and counselors of the Family and Child Welfare Center. Learn more…
EAAD-Best Plenary Meeting in Pärnu, Estonia
On September 25th, 2023, the Central Library in Pärnu, Estonia, served as the venue for the latest Plenary meeting of EAAD-Best. Project partners from across Europe gathered to discuss the current state of the project, and its sustainability moving forward. The event commenced with a warm welcome from Peeter Varnik and Ulrich Hegerl, setting the stage for a day filled with profound discussions and fruitful collaboration. Ulrich Hegerl and Katharina Schnitzspahn provided a comprehensive overview of the EAAD-Best project, spotlighting its notable achievements to date. It was a moment to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of everyone involved. Learn more…
Greek event participation at the Social Care & Solidarity Festival
Our Greek partners participated in the 1st Social Care & Solidarity Festival of Dionysos Municipality in Agios Stefanos from 15 to 17 September. It was a great festival with the participation of more than 22 organizations and our colleagues had the opportunity to promote the EAAD BEST program. Learn more…
Awareness-raising walk in Hungary
We are pleased to announce that our Hungarian partner participated in an awareness walk in honour of World Suicide Prevention Day. This event aims to draw attention to the issue, reduce stigma, and raise awareness among organizations and the public, sending a clear message that suicides are preventable. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 700 thousand people commit suicide each year, equating to a life lost every 40 seconds. In Hungary, this issue still requires significant attention, as more than 1500 people die by suicide each year, placing Hungary among the top 20 countries in terms of suicide rates per capita. Learn more…
Two Hungarian events in August
Our Hungarian partner successfully presented the EAAD-Best project and promoted the Velem Lehet Beszélgetni initiative in Szeged, one the biggest festivals in Hungary. Over 100,000 individuals participated in the event , and our partner, Végeken Mental Health Foundation, spread our message at the Civil Village, highlighting that depression can affect anyone, but it’s manageable. In collaboration with the EAAD-Best program, the ‘Velem Lehet Beszélgetni’ (velemlehetbeszelgetni.hu) initiative’s goal is making it easier to seek help and share mental struggles for children and adolescents. Learn more…
Geek partner’s participation in the Panhellenic Basketball Tournament for mental health “Mental Hoops”
The Panhellenic Basketball Tournament for Mental Health Service Recipients “MENTAL HOOPS” organized by EPAPSY for the 6th time was held with great success on Saturday, July 8, 2023 and the team of EAAD Best Greece was there. Over 150 beneficiaries of psychosocial rehabilitation services from 26 mental health agencies participated in 3X3 basketball games, playing with passion and determination and demonstrating their unwavering spirit. For another year, our athletes highlighted the power of sports to unite us and raise awareness, while also sending a resounding message against the stigma and discrimination that prevails around mental health. All of us, beneficiaries and mental health professionals, formed a fist determined to promote inclusion, empathy and understanding for people facing mental health challenges. Learn more…
Training in Valencia on how to recognize and treat depression and suicidal tendencies in young patients
Pediatricians in Valencia city attended a seminar on how to recognize and treat depression and suicidal tendències in young patients. The seminar was conducted by Elvira Ferrando, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, and Eduardo Aguilar, psychiatrist and EAAD-Best regional partner. Training sessions on how to address depression and suicide have been hold in the Valencia region in the last months, especially addressed to GP’s, family nurses and pediatricians.
Two Bulgarian events in June
Our Bulgarian partners organized two impactful events in June addressing depression. The first was a discussion and Q&A session led by clinical psychologist Elka Bozhkova, focusing on depression in teenagers and young adults. The second event was a seminar led by Dr Yuri Katzarov, exploring working with patients with depression. Both events brought together parents, students, and professionals, fostering awareness, prevention strategies, and the importance of ethical practices in supporting individuals with depression. Learn more…
Our Greek partners participated in Athens Pride
On Saturday the 10th of June our Greek partners proudly participated in the Athens Pride! They celebrated and advocated for life with equal rights for all people regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. Pride month spreads the message of acceptance around the world. Together we fight discrimination, eliminate stigma and send a resounding message for an ideal world with the slogan of this years “Once upon a time..”. They had an information station where they distributed informative materials and promoted our websites. We thank and applaud our Greek partners for their dedication and participation at this year’s Pride event in Athens! Learn more…
EAAD Workshop in Békéscsaba, Hungary for community helpers in the region
The workshop was attended by András Székely, the Hungarian coordinator of EAAD, representatives of the county EFI offices, representatives of our cooperating partners, invited guests, and the organizer on behalf of the dr. Baly Hermina Mental Health Foundation, dr. Gábor Vincze, as well as the heads of the foundation’s workgroups. Learn more…
EAAD Exciting May events in Greece
On European mental health week, the Greek team carried out some awareness-raising actions and updates. They participated in the largest flower exhibition in Athens on May 11, informing visitors about mental health issues and exchanging information and experiences with them, held an iFightDepression training, and created a well needed social media buzz around Mental Health Week! Learn more…
“Recognizing Depression” in Pócsmegyer, Hungary
On June 2nd, 2023, an important event took place at the Pócsmegyer, Hungary. The event was organized by Végeken Egészséglélektani Alapítvány (VEA) and it focused on the topic of “Recognizing Depression.” Learn more…
Two Estonian seminars for gatekeepers, and local beauty workers
Gatekeeper Seminar empowers heads of Regional Councils for People with Disabilities in Estonia, and seminar on coping with depression for beauty Workers in Pärnu region helps local members of the beauty industry recognise signs of depression and provide adequate instructions for help seeking. Learn more…
“Recognizing Depression” in Pomáz, Hungary
On May 19, 2023, an important and highly anticipated gathering took place at the Pomáz Cultural House and Library in Hungary. The event was organized by Végeken Egészséglélektani Alapítvány (VEA), in collaboration with the Health Development Office of the Health Institutions of Szentendre City, and it focused on a crucial topic: “Recognizing Depression.” Learn more…
Highlights from the ‘Silesia and Zaglebie Against Depression’ Conference
On May 23, 2023, a significant event took place in Katowice, Poland, as part of the European Mental Health Week activities. The ‘Silesia and Zaglebie Against Depression’ conference gathered experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss two EU-funded projects, EAAD-Best and the ImpleMENTAL Joint Action. The conference, organized by the Representation of the European Commission in Poland and the Polish Office of the European Parliament, in collaboration with the Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Poland and the Alliance Against Depression, aimed to address the pressing issue of depression in the region. Learn more…
Training session for pharmacists from Alcalá, Alcaudete, Castillo and Mures
EAAD-Best Andalusian partners celebrated a training session addressed to pharmacists from Alcalá, Alcaudete, Castillo and Mures (in Jaen province, Andalusia) on March 3rd. Pharmacists from the region will act as community facilitators in the detection of depression and suicide prevention. Our Andalusian partners are especially focusing efforts in Seville and Jaén regions, where several events on depression and suicide prevention have been celebrated.
Estonian event on ” Navigating Crisis From Within and Around You.”
We are thrilled to share the news from our Estonian partners who recently organized an impactful event titled “Navigating Crisis From Within and Around You.” This event provided an invaluable opportunity to raise awareness about the EAAD-Best project, iFightDepression, and the local network in Pärnu. Let’s delve into the details of this inspiring initiative that aimed to empower the community and foster resilience. Learn more…
Training for district nurses in Hungary
The Végeken Egészséglélektani Alapítvány (VEA) recently inaugurated a comprehensive educational day for district nurses in Baja, Hungary, commencing the day with a valuable one-hour training session. Covering essential topics like depression, crisis intervention, and perinatal problems, the training provided insights aimed at enhancing the nursing care provided within their communities. We express our heartfelt gratitude to the VEA for their expert input and to the committed district nurses who continue to be at the forefront of healthcare delivery in their districts. This event highlights the continuous effort to empower nurses with knowledge and tools, underlining their critical role in the healthcare landscape. Their commitment to learning and adapting is an inspiration and a testament to their dedication to the wellbeing of their patients. Learn more…
Greek Partners’ April Events: Empowering Healthcare Professionals in the Fight Against Depression
We would like to express our gratitude to EPAPSY (Association for Regional Development and Mental Health) for their tremendous efforts in participating in two significant events during the month of April to represent EAAD-Best. These events brought together healthcare professionals from various disciplines to address the pressing issue of depression and suicidal behavior in Greece. Our Greek partners showcased their commitment to fostering awareness, sharing knowledge, and enhancing collaboration to combat these critical mental health challenges. Learn more…
Stakeholder-event in Brussels
The European Alliance Against Depression (EAAD) recently held a stakeholder meeting in Brussels to discuss community-based prevention of depression and suicidal behavior. The event brought together stakeholders from different professional groups and showcased good practices from various countries. Learn more…
Family role-playing exercise event in Athens
Depression is a severe mental health condition that affects not only individuals but also their families. Our Greek partners alongside SOPSY Athens, have been actively organizing events to raise awareness about depression’s impact on families. Learn more…
Training for GPs and mental health nurses in Estonia
Our Estonian partners have been keeping busy! They recently organized a training session on March 22nd for general practitioners and mental health nurses, which saw 23 participants attend, with 22 showing up in person and one attending virtually. We’re happy to report that over half of the family doctors in the intervention region have already participated in our depression and suicide-related training initiatives after receiving an invitation. Hats off to our partners for a successful training program!
“Garden State” movie screening for inner city highschoolers by our polish partners
In the Atlantic Kino in Warsaw 220 inner city highschool students filled the cinema hall to the brim for the screening of “Garden state”. Learn more…
Workshop in Estonia
Our iFightDepression online self-help tool team continues to grow. In the beginning of February, our Estonian partners held another successful workshop for mental health professionals. As the team grows, so does the awareness of the tool, which makes mental health support services more widely accessible to those who are in need. For more information, please visit the Estonian local alliance website www.depressioonigatoimetulek.ee
Greek activities in December
Our partners at EPAPSY had a productive December, promoting EAAD’s mission and tools to the public…Learn more
Bulgaria – Conference held in December
Our Bulgarian partners held a successful conference on the 16th of December, the 4-level intervention model and the iFightDepression tool were presented to the public by the Sustainability of Progressive and Open Communication association (SPOC). The attendees were representatives of some of the ministries and different national structures. Representatives of other organizations, journalists, health workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists also attended. The chairwoman of Association SPOC – Mrs. Albena Drobachka was the moderator and the lecturers were Ph.D. Yuri Katsarov, clinical psychologist, and Dr. Tsvetelina Petkova, psychiatrist. Many thanks to all attendees and lecturers for a successful event! Learn more about the association’s work here: spoc-s.com/
Poland – Warsaw Against Depression
Depression is a growing mental health challenge for Europe, Poland, Warsaw and smaller local communities. The conference “Warsaw Against Depression” aims to present good practices in support of mental health… Learn more
Estonian events in October
World mental health event
Our Estonian partners had a seminar on World Mental Health Day where they welcomed all young people and adults with the aims to help participants better recognise the signs of depression, the causes and the different ways they can help themselves and their loved ones. Learn more…
Hungary – Opening event in Szentendre
On World Mental Health Day, the “Public Foundation for a Healthy City” organized a symposium in Szentendre, which was also the opening event of EAAD in Szentendre district.
András Székely, EAAD’s Hungarian representative, said that the European Alliance Against Depression (EAAD) wants to start a local collaboration… Learn more
Spain – Kick-off meeting
The kick-off meeting took place on 21 Oct 21, in Alcalá la Real (Jaen province, Andalusia, Spain).
The mayor of the town together with municipal representatives; the Minister of Health and Consumption of the Andalusian Government; the General Secretariat of Humanization, Planning, Social and Health Care and Consumption of the Andalusian Government; the mayor of Social Services, Health and Families of the town council… Learn more
Online Kick-off meeting
On the 16th of April 2021 the EAAD-Best online kick off meeting was successfully held by mental health experts involved in the project, to discuss our project on fighting depression and suicide in Europe.
Greece – Kick-off meeting
It took place on Thursday 30/9 at 18:30. With around 70 guests -mayors /vice-mayors from all three municipalities, police officers, representatives from local hospitals, the Director of the regional directorate of secondary Education,representatives from the Association of Families Friends for Mental Health, the local social services, the Athens Medical Association, NGOs that promote mental health and of course representatives from EPAPSY. Ms Zoi Rapti, the Deputy Minister for Mental Health as well as Mr George Patoulis, the regional Governor of Attica both sent videos, which we played during the event, with their wishes for EAAD-Best in Greece. The campaign person, Mr Pygmalion Dadakaridis, a famous greek actor was also present and had a speech sharing why he voluntarily… Learn more
Bulgaria – Kick-off meeting
The kick-off meeting took place on 21 Oct 21. Social authority representatives, international organizations representatives (UNICEF), priests, candidate of a vice president, education field representatives, health workers, psychologists, psychiatrics and many others have attended Bulgaria’s EAAD-Best kick off Meeting. Mrs Albena Drobachka , chair-woman of SPOC gave the opening speech, after which two experts and Tsvety Georgieva provided project information to the auditory and opened the discussions. Learn more
Estonia – Kick-off meeting
“Depressiooniga Toimetuleku Võrgustik Pärnus” has successfully held their kick off meeting last week with 50 participants. Learn more