Nordic headspace conference 2025
Turn the tide – New approaches to youth mental health and early intervention
Youth mental health is the focus of this year’s Nordic headspace conference, taking place on 14 November 2025 in the iconic surroundings of the Danish Parliament, Christiansborg. The conference highlights new approaches to youth mental health, focusing on early intervention and community-driven solutions, showcasing cutting-edge international research and the vital role of peer and volunteer engagement in shaping sustainable support systems.
With Denmark holding the EU Presidency, the conference provides a unique opportunity to amplify the voices of young people, researchers, and civil society by connecting them with policymakers at the European level. The Nordic countries are increasingly recognised for innovative approaches to youth mental health, and the event will underline how our shared experiences can inspire new directions across Europe.
An exceptional group of international speakers will explore how early intervention and collaboration can promote youth mental health. With contributions from leading institutions such as Maastricht University, Orygen Global, the Copenhagen Research Unit for Recovery, and the Scottish Recovery Network, the conference aims to foster knowledge-sharing and generate practical solutions that can be applied across Europe and beyond.
Program
Date: November 14, 2025
Venue: The Danish Parliament, Christiansborg
Moderator: Nynne Bjerre Christensen
We look forward to announcing additional speakers as they are confirmed
9:00-10:00 Registration and Coffee Opening
• Welcome by Maria Durhuus, Member of the Danish Parliament
• Youth perspective
• The role of civil society, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Founder of headspace Denmark and former Prime Minister of Denmark
• Keynote presentation: A Nordic perspective on youth mental health, Árni Páll Árnason, Former Minister of Social Affairs, Iceland
• Volunteer-led and peer-led services in a global context, Dr. Ledia Lazeri, Regional Adviser for Mental Health in Europe, World Health Organisation
Solutions, Evidence and Research
• Young voices – Experiences with early support in youth mental health by Nordic Youth Panel
• Panel: Mental Health NGOs in Europe – moderated by Craig Hodges, Director of Orygen Global, Australia, with Jannes Vanmelle, Overkop (Belgium); Tom Guldberg, Mental Helse (Norway); Trine Hammershøy, headspace Denmark; Eva Rós Ólafsdóttir, Bergið headspace (Iceland); and Thérèse van Amelsvoort, @ease (The Netherlands).
• Research highlights – Effectiveness of early intervention models in youth mental health, Prof. Thérèse van Amelsvoort, Maastricht University, and Lene Eplov, Research Lead, Copenhagen Research Unit for Recovery
• The role of peer- and volunteer-led youth mental health services in a societal context: Insights from Louise Christie, Director of the Scottish Recovery Network
• Rationale for investments in youth mental health – Dialogue with Annika Sten Pärson, Founder and Executive Chair of Inner Foundation, and Sofia Breitholtz, CEO of Reach for Change
Lunch Break
Policy Environment for Low-Intensity and Low-Cost Youth Mental Health Services
• Music
• Perspectives from the Danish EU Presidency (TBC)
• Panel debate: European and Nordic policy perspectives on youth mental health, with Maria Walsh, Co-Chair of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on Mental Health, Tone Wilhelmsen Trøen, Member of the Norwegian Parliament, and Sigurþóra Bergsdóttir, Member of the Icelandic Parliament
• Closure: Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Founder of headspace Denmark and former Prime Minister of Denmark
16:00-17:30 Reception
Nordic headspace Conference Gave Youth a Voice and Highlighted Smart Investments
Nordic headspace 2024: Let’s invest in mental health
Nordic headspace Conference Highlighted Youth Mental Health
November 18 Copenhagen’s Royal Danish Playhouse hosted the first Nordic headspace conference in Denmark. The event brought together researchers, politicians, business leaders, and young people from across the Nordic countries to discuss investments in youth mental health.
Finance Minister Nicolai Wammen opened the conference with a speech emphasizing the importance of prioritizing mental well-being, not only as a minister but also as a father. The musician URO set the tone with heartfelt songs.
A key topic was the inclusion of young people in decision-making processes. The day’s debates included discussions on young people’s expectations of the labor market, presented by Christine Ravn Lund of the Danish Youth Council and Falck’s CEO Jakob Riis. A youth panel also shared their perspectives on challenges such as future uncertainty, finances, and well-being.
The conference featured international contributions, including insights from Professor Martin Knapp, who highlighted the economic benefits of investing in mental health, and WHO’s Cassie Redlich, who showcased effective health initiatives.
A heartfelt thanks to all participants and moderator Nynne Bjerre Christensen for an inspiring day that strengthened collaboration on youth mental well-being both in the Nordics and globally. As founder Poul Nyrup Rasmussen concluded: “Those who give much, receive much.”
