New Interreg Baltic Sea Region Project Platform Boosts Cooperation for Better Mental Health

A new initiative under the Interreg Baltic Sea Region (BSR) Programme has been launched to strengthen cross-sectoral cooperation for mental health and well-being across the region. The Mental Health Project Platform aims to consolidate knowledge, connect key actors, and translate project results into actionable policy recommendations for national and regional decision-makers.

Good mental health is fundamental to building resilient societies. Yet, countries around the Baltic Sea continue to report alarmingly high levels of mental ill-health. The ongoing impact of successive crises has placed unprecedented pressure on health systems, with overburdened primary care services struggling to meet growing demands. This situation highlights the need for a broader, cross-sectoral response that promotes mental well-being and helps societies recover and adapt to challenges.

Integrating Non-Clinical Solutions to Support Well-Being

The Mental Health Project Platform serves as a capitalisation tool within the Interreg BSR Programme, helping public authorities make use of results from previous projects. It supports the integration of non-clinical cultural, artistic, and physical activities to strengthen both mental and social well-being.

Sectors beyond healthcare – including education, culture, and employment – play a crucial role in mental health promotion. Interreg BSR projects have shown that interventions in schools, workplaces, and community settings can effectively improve mental well-being. Cultural approaches, in particular, have proven to be valuable non-medical methods for supporting people with mild to moderate mental health conditions.

However, wider recognition and systematic adoption of these approaches are still needed. Policymakers require solid evidence and practical examples to implement cross-sectoral strategies effectively. By consolidating the outcomes of multiple projects, the Mental Health Project Platform will generate data-driven insights and policy recommendations, paving the way for the broader uptake of successful interventions and improved mental health resilience throughout the BSR.

Harnessing Cooperation and Knowledge Across the Region

Interreg BSR project platforms provide structured access to project outcomes and empower public authorities and experts to apply tested solutions in daily practice and policymaking. Together, the eight platforms currently active in the region build on the achievements of more than 100 projects — over half of which originate from the Interreg BSR Programme.

By aligning their work with the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR), these platforms reinforce regional cooperation and ensure their actions support shared European priorities. This synergy enhances the impact of Interreg-funded initiatives and strengthens the macro-regional commitment to sustainable, healthy, and resilient communities.

Project Partners and Foundations

The Mental Health Project Platform brings together a diverse partnership of leading organisations:

Secretariat of the NDPHS (Coordinator of the Policy Area Health under the EUSBSR)

Poznan University of Life Sciences (Poland)

Odense Municipality (Denmark)

International Sport and Culture Association (Denmark)

Estonian Coalition for Mental Health and Well-being

The platform builds upon results from a wide range of projects, including Arts on Prescription in the Baltic Sea Region, KidsLikeUs, MentalHealthMatters, SchoolChanger, BalticSe@nioR and BalticSe@nioR 2.0, SAFE, ABCs for Mental Health, Icehearts Europe, EU4Health Operating Grant, Arts on Prescription in Norway, Economy of Well-being of People, and AgeFLAG – Roadmap to Improve the Health and Well-being of the Ageing Population.

Turning Knowledge into Action

Co-funded by the European Union through Interreg, the initiative exemplifies how regional cooperation can transform knowledge into practice. By fostering synergies among diverse sectors and stakeholders, the Mental Health Project Platform will help drive meaningful change – supporting healthier, more resilient communities throughout the Baltic Sea Region.

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