Baltic Sea Mental Health Platform – NDPHS

Baltic Sea Mental Health Platform

Supporting mental health where people live, learn, work, love and connect

The Baltic Sea Mental Health Platform brings together knowledge, practical tools and experience from projects across the region to help more people benefit from approaches that support mental well-being. Led by the NDPHS Secretariat, it helps public authorities turn project results into policy and practice, strengthening cooperation between health, education, culture, sport and other sectors.

A shared challenge, a shared responsibility

Mental health concerns and repeated societal crises are placing growing pressure on people, communities and health services across the Baltic Sea Region. Meeting these challenges requires action beyond healthcare.

Schools, workplaces and community settings can support mental well-being through opportunities for participation, creativity, physical activity and social connection. The platform brings these perspectives together to strengthen prevention and make support more accessible throughout life.

Building on practical experience

Projects across the region have developed and tested approaches that respond to different needs. The platform draws on this work to support:

  • Healthier schools and workplaces, with tools and approaches that promote well-being in everyday settings.
  • Arts and cultural participation, including community programmes for people experiencing mild to moderate mental health challenges.
  • Physical activity and social connection, creating opportunities to participate and feel part of a community.
  • Mental well-being across the life course, recognising people’s changing needs from childhood to older age.

Turning project results into lasting change

Promising approaches need sustained support to reach more people. The platform brings together evidence and practical experience to develop recommendations for national and regional decision-makers.

By connecting public authorities, researchers, practitioners and civil society, it supports shared learning across borders and helps communities adapt approaches to their own circumstances. The aim is to make effective solutions part of everyday services and policies, with benefits that continue beyond individual projects.

Cooperation for a more resilient region

Running from July 2025 to June 2028, the platform contributes to Policy Area Health of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. Its ambition is to strengthen mental well-being and people’s capacity to cope with challenges, helping build healthier, more inclusive and resilient communities.

The Baltic Sea Mental Health Platform is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme 2021–2027.

Arts on Prescription project conference in Vilnius

 

Supporting mental health beyond healthcare

Schools, workplaces, cultural organisations and local communities all play a vital role in promoting mental health. Projects across the Baltic Sea Region show how these everyday settings can support well-being through creativity, participation and social connection. Arts and cultural activities, for example, offer non-medical support for people experiencing mild to moderate mental health challenges.

Turning evidence into policy and practice

For these approaches to reach more people, they need political recognition and sustained support. Decision-makers need clear evidence and practical guidance to integrate them into policies and services.

The BSR Mental Health Platform brings together results from several projects and translates this knowledge into actionable recommendations for national and regional decision-makers. By supporting wider adoption, it aims to improve access to effective approaches that strengthen mental well-being and resilience across the Baltic Sea Region.

Working together for lasting impact

The platform connects health, education, culture, sport and other sectors to strengthen cooperation on community-based mental health support. Sharing knowledge and experience across borders helps partners build on existing results and turn them into practical action.

The BSR Mental Health Platform is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme 2021–2027.

ArtWell Net meeting in Kolomya, Ukraine on September 14, 2026

Powered by results from 14 projects:

EUSBSR Annual Forum 2026, Day 2. Photo: Andras Kralla

Project-related articles

2026

2025

2024

 

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  • Full name: Baltic Sea Mental Health Platform
  • Start date: July 2025
  • End date: June 2028
  • Financing agencies: Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme 2021-2027
  • Budget:  1.2 mil. €
  • Lead partner:
    • NDPHS Secretariat (Coordinator of the Policy Area Health for the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region)
  • Project partners:
    • Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland
    • Odense Municipality, Denmark
    • International Sport and Culture Association, Denmark
    • Estonian Coalition for Mental Health and Well-being (VATEK), Estonia