On 8 May 2026, the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA), in collaboration with the European Federation of Psychology Students’ Associations (EFPSA), organised a webinar on digitalisation and youth mental health. The event was part of the European Mental Health Week (EMHW) 2026 and the European Public Health Week (EUPHW) programme.
Titled “Stronger Together in a Digital Age: Collective Action for Youth Mental Health in a Changing Digital Europe”, the webinar was moderated by EFPA Vice-President John Francis Leader. It brought together speakers from EFPSA, Beyond Lab (UN Geneva), the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the Belgian Federation of Psychologists (BFP), offering complementary perspectives on how to support young people to thrive in an increasingly digital environment.
In his opening remarks, John Francis Leader set the context by emphasising the alignment of the discussion with EFPA’s advocacy initiatives on digitalisation. He underlined the importance of addressing both the opportunities and challenges that digital technologies present for mental health.
A particular strength of the webinar was the contribution of younger speakers, who shared insights not only from their professional roles but also from their personal experiences. This dual perspective reinforced the importance of inclusive dialogue when shaping policies and interventions.
A key message emerging from the discussion was that, while guidance and regulation are essential, meaningful progress can only be achieved through coordinated, multi-stakeholder action. This approach fully reflects the EMHW 2026 theme, “Stronger Together: Prioritise Mental Health in a Changing Europe”.
Speakers highlighted the need to involve digital platform providers in regulatory processes and stressed the critical importance of ensuring that young people themselves are actively included in decision-making. Strengthening digital literacy, promoting safety-by-design approaches, and recognising digital well-being as a public health priority were also identified as key areas for action.
A recording of the webinar is available on EFPA’s YouTube channel: