The European Psychiatric Association (EPA) community is growing fast, as demonstrated by the increasing number of members and the numerous activities the EPA is organising. Many of the community members are young and clinically oriented, and it is this clinical orientation that is highlighted in the motto of the upcoming Congress – ‘Towards Real-World Solutions in Mental Health’ – taking place in Madrid, Spain, on 5-8 April 2025. Alongside excellent and ground-breaking research, one of the core interests of the EPA is the clinical translation of these findings and the sharing of good practices.
It is our pleasure to announce that two Joint Sessions with the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) are scheduled during this event.
On Monday, 7 April, Paul Boon, EAN Past President, will co-chair the Joint Workshop ‘No Health Without Brain Health & the Brain Health Mission: Raising Awareness & Putting the Brain on the Top of the Policy Agenda’ and present the Brain Health Mission.
Launched in 2023 by the EAN with 28 partner organisations, the Brain Health Mission aims to enhance public understanding of brain health across all life stages. It promotes public health strategies for long-term brain health impact, supports the development of healthcare workforces, and emphasises the importance of prevention, early detection, and intervention. Rooted in evidence-based research, the Brain Health Mission advocates for a holistic approach.
Jana Midelfart-Hoff, EAN Treasurer, will also provide a talk on ‘How to develop a national brain health strategy’, focusing on the example of Norway.
The workshop at the EPA Congress represents a collaboration between the EPA, the EAN, the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) and the European Brain Council (EBC). Other speakers at this workshop include Peter Falkai, EPA Past President, Suzanne Dickson, EBC President, and Tomás Ryan, Neuroscientist at Trinity College Dublin.
Thie joint workshop will take place in Auditoriom A from 15:00 – 16:30 on Monday 7 April 2025.
On the same day there will also be a Joint Symposium on ‘The Power of Sleep in Brain and Mental Health’, co-chaired by Erna Sif Arnardóttir, European Sleep Research Society (ESRS) President, and Andrea Fiorillo, EPA President Elect. In this session Evelina Pajediene, Co-Chair of the EAN Scientific Panel on Sleep-wake disorders, will provide a lecture on ‘Sleep and mental, neurological and body health’.
The joint symposium will take place in the Hall Londres from 17:00 – 18:30 on Monday 7 April 2025.
For further details on the programme, please visit the Congress website.
