At WeDoMind, we study how mental health can be better understood, strengthened and supported. Our research focuses on three areas:
Early detection & prevention
We investigate how mental health problems can be recognised earlier and how support can be better tailored to individual needs and context.
Psychological assessment
We develop and evaluate evidence-based ways to better map psychological functioning, vulnerability and resilience.
Innovation in prevention & care
We explore new forms of prevention, early intervention and psychological care, with attention to digital and blended applications and their implementation in everyday life.
Our research in focus
Our researchers publish internationally on topics such as the prevention of mental health problems, self-harm, early detection, psychological assessment, digital interventions, youth wellbeing and accessible psychological care.
Some recent themes from our publications
SAMPO – Scalable Approach to Mental Illness and Self-Harm Prevention Online
How can we support young people early when they experience mental health difficulties, while ensuring that this support meets each young person’s individual needs? SAMPO is a European Horizon Europe project that develops and evaluates a scalable digital approach to preventing mental health problems and self-harm among young people.
At its core is a combination of early screening and personalised digital support. Rather than offering the same programme to everyone, SAMPO investigates how information about young people’s individual risk and protective factors can be used to better tailor support to their needs. Through digital tools, young people gain access to evidence-based strategies aimed at strengthening resilience and reducing the risk of mental health problems and self-harm.
The approach is being evaluated on a large scale across several European countries. We examine not only its effects on mental health and well-being, but also who benefits from the approach, how personalisation can best be implemented, and whether the support can be delivered in an accessible and cost-effective way.
In this way, SAMPO aims to translate scientific knowledge into digital prevention that can be implemented at scale while taking into account the individual needs of young people.
SMARTS – Strengthening Mental Health and Resilience Through Schools
Mental well-being is not only about preventing problems, but also about developing skills that help young people cope with challenges. With SMARTS, we investigate how sport and physical activity can provide an accessible setting for strengthening these skills.
The programme is aimed at young people aged 13 to 15 and combines active sports sessions with exercises and reflection on mental well-being. Topics include, for example, managing emotions and stress, working together, and seeking support from others. SMARTS was developed with input from young people and other key stakeholders, ensuring that the programme is not only evidence-based but also closely connected to young people’s everyday lives and the school context.
An important goal of the project is to make the knowledge gained practically applicable. We therefore provide materials and exercises that can be used to support young people in working on their mental well-being.
→ Discover SMARTS and explore the available materials
ANTS – Addressing Non-suicidal self-injury and mental health problems by Training in Schools
Not every young person needs the same kind of support. ANTS is a tiered approach to the prevention and support of adolescent mental well-being in schools. Its starting point is that support should be tailored to what young people need at a particular moment.
The approach combines universal prevention for all students with screening and more targeted support. The PRO tool (Psychological Referral Optimization) assesses both mental well-being and psychological difficulties. Based on this assessment, young people can receive different forms of advice and support.
ANTS also includes practical materials for young people and those around them. E-MOTION focuses on emotion regulation for young people who may benefit from additional support. ANTS GATE also involves the adults around young people, including school staff and parents. When more specialised support is needed, the approach for further follow-up or referral.
In this way, ANTS aims to connect prevention, early detection and support within the school context, helping young people access appropriate support at the right time.
→ Discover ANTS and explore the available materials
PETALS — Supporting primary care in addressing self-harm in later life
Self-harm in older adults remains an underrecognized issue, while primary care professionals are often among the first to encounter older adults experiencing psychological distress. PETALS aims to strengthen the recognition of and response to self-harm in later life by developing a practical, psychoeducational toolkit for primary care.
Using a participatory approach, the project brings together primary care professionals, older adults with lived experience, and informal caregivers to identify current challenges and support needs and to co-create tools that fit real-world practice. The resulting toolkit will be piloted and refined with stakeholders and will ultimately be made freely available to support professionals in recognizing, discussing, and responding to self-harm among older adults.
PETALS is funded by the Maurange Fund of the King Baudouin Foundation and the Amand Vilyn Fund of SciMingo.
