The new international project Together4MH (Together for Mental Health) will focus on supporting the mental health of young people and on the role of the environments in which they live, study, and work. It is based on the idea that support at the individual level is often not enough. The project will explore ways in which schools, universities, workplaces, and other communities can create environments where it is easier to get involved, ask for help, and stay connected with others.
Together4MH received funding from the Horizon Europe program, where it was selected as one of three funded projects out of a total of 77 submitted proposals. It will launch on October 1, 2026, under the coordination of Western Norway University of Applied Sciences in collaboration with Førde Hospital Trust and will bring together partners from several European countries. Representing Masaryk University, the Psychology Research Institute at the Faculty of Social Studies (FSS) will participate in the project in collaboration with psychologists from the Faculty of Medicine. At INPSY, the project will be led by Tomáš Řiháček (Center for Psychotherapy Research), and at the Faculty of Medicine, Miroslav Světlák (Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics) will be involved.
Support During Challenging Life Transitions
The project’s primary target group consists of young people who are going through significant life changes. These may include, for example, moving from one level of education to another, starting college, or entering the workforce. These periods can be particularly sensitive from a mental health perspective, as daily routines, relationships, and a sense of belonging all change.
Together4MH therefore focuses not only on individuals but also on communities and institutions that can help young people remain part of a supportive environment. The goal is to find ways to strengthen environments where it is easier to get involved, ask for help, stay in touch with others, and manage challenging life situations before they escalate into a crisis.
Schools, workplaces, and communities
The project brings together experts from many fields. Participating institutions will share their experiences on how they support mental health in schools, workplaces, and other communities.
One of the goals is to develop and validate a set of tools and practices that can help build psychologically safe environments. Participating organizations will then put them into practice, and the research team will monitor their impact.
