Do we always understand our own minds? And more importantly, how can universities become places that not only foster academic growth, but also support mental wellbeing in a meaningful, everyday way?
These were some of the questions we explored at the MindED project’s first partner meeting, held on 14–15 November at Universidade do Minho in Braga, Portugal. This workshop brought together the full project consortium for two days of reflection, planning, and shared learning on the future of mental health in higher education.
A warm thank you goes to Adriana Sampaio and her team — Eugénia Ribeiro Pereira, Miguel Gonçalves and Pedro Moreira — for their generous hospitality and thoughtful contributions throughout the meeting.
Taking a Deeper Look at Mental Health in Universities
The focus of the meeting was Work Package 2 (WP2) — a central part of the MindED project dedicated to developing a Wellness Framework for higher education. This framework aims to improve mental health literacy, reduce stigma, and strengthen emotional resilience in university settings. It is grounded in research, shaped by evidence, and tailored to the real needs of students and staff.
Professor Adriana Sampaio shared insights from the Prometeu Project, highlighting the importance of regional and cultural differences in designing wellbeing interventions. Her message was clear: what works in one setting might not work in another — and understanding the context is essential.
Dr Miguel Gonçalves challenged some of the myths surrounding mental health. He introduced the concept of transdiagnostic approaches, such as emotional regulation, that focus on shared experiences and mental health challenges rather than isolated symptoms or diagnoses. This perspective will be key to ensuring the Wellness Framework remains adaptable and inclusive.
What Happens Next?
The next stage of WP2 involves finalising the Wellness Framework. This will draw on the findings from focus groups, data analysis and input from all partners, as well as explore how AI can be used responsibly to tailor mental health resources. Pilot testing will follow in several partner universities, ensuring the framework is both useful and usable in real-world settings.
This work will also inform WP4, which will focus on building an AI-based tool to connect students with wellbeing support more effectively and intuitively.
A Strong Start
This kick-off meeting marked an encouraging beginning for the project. It was clear from the discussions that the partners share a commitment to placing mental health at the heart of university life — not as an add-on, but as something essential to student and staff success.
We’re grateful to the following organisations for their contributions and collaboration:
- Universidade do Minho (Portugal)
- Université Bordeaux Montaigne (France)
- Interactive Health Limited (Ireland)
- European E-learning Institute (Denmark)
- le LABA (France)
- European Students’ Union (Belgium)
- Momentum Educate + Innovate (Ireland)
- UPF Barcelona School of Management (Spain)
We look forward to building on this momentum and working together to shape a more supportive, human-centred approach to mental health in higher education.