Several consortium members contributed to the scientific programme of the EPA Section of Epidemiology Congress in Brescia (16-19 September 2026). A particular highlight was the symposium “Challenges and innovations in youth mental health: a European perspective”. This symposium brought together researchers from the YOUTHreach consortium to explore different approaches to improving mental health care and support for young people.

The session was chaired by Thérèse van Amelsvoort (Professor in Transitional Psychiatry at Maastricht University and coordinator of the YOUTHreach project), with Andreas Bechdolf (Professor of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany) as co-chair. The symposium featured four presentations covering important areas of research and innovation in youth mental health:

• Giovanni de Girolamo (Psychiatrist and Head Unit of Epidemiological Psychiatry at IRCCS Fatebenefratelli Brescia) presented Mental health trajectories of adolescents treated with psychotropic medications: insights from the European Milestone Study, exploring mental health trajectories among adolescents receiving psychotropic medication.
• dr. Andreas Bechdolf introduced YEAH: Comparative effectiveness and public health impact of Integrated Youth mEntal heAltH centres: a hybrid (cost-)effectiveness implementation study. YEAH is one of the three interventions being evaluated within YOUTHreach and focuses on integrated, youth-friendly mental health services.
• dr. Thérèse van Amelsvoort presented the Clinical and economical evaluation of SELFIE, a transdiagnostic ecological momentary intervention for youth. SELFIE explores how an app based training can provide support to young people.
• Gary Donohoe (Established Professor of Psychology at University of Galway) presented Moderated Online Social Therapy (MOST) in Help Seeking Young People: Pilot Randomized Controlled Study, highlighting the potential of moderated online support for young people seeking help.

Another YOUTHreach highlight was presentation session with dr. Rebekah Amos (Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham) presenting: “Mapping youth mental health systems in Europe (YOUTHreach): Barriers and facilitators to service access and provision across 8 countries.” This presentation provided valuable insights into how youth mental health systems differ across Europe and the barriers and facilitators that influence young people’s access to appropriate support.

EPA Brescia 2026 was an excellent opportunity to share knowledge, exchange perspectives and showcase the work being done across YOUTHreach to improve youth mental health care in Europe.

More information about the conference: EPA Brescia 2026.