On Thursday 10th October, the MENT research group at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel successfully distributed 500 green ribbons at the Brussels Health Campus to mark World Mental Health Day. This year's theme is: 'It’s time to prioritise mental health in the workplace.' With this initiative, MENT aimed to raise awareness about mental health and encourage people to speak openly about their mental wellbeing. Wearing a green ribbon today symbolises support for everyone facing mental health challenges.
The action was well received by students, staff, and visitors to the campus. They embraced the message of solidarity and awareness surrounding mental health. While handing out the ribbons, MENT researchers engaged passers-by in conversations about the importance of mental resilience and breaking the stigma, particularly in the workplace. This initiative also coincided with a special occasion: the MENT research group is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
MENT: Researching mental wellbeing for all
Since its founding in 2014, the MENT research group has been committed to studying and promoting mental health and wellbeing among diverse population groups. Their research focuses not only on the absence of mental disorders but on the broader concept of mental wellbeing. The group operates from a holistic biopsychosocial model, mapping out the biological, psychological, and social factors that influence mental health.
“In the ten years since MENT was established, we have witnessed a clear shift in how people discuss mental health, especially since the COVID crisis,” says Prof. Dr. Johan Bilsen, co-founder of MENT. “It is encouraging to see the stigma slowly eroding, but we are also noticing a rise in mental health issues, particularly among young people and the elderly. Awareness is important, but it is now crucial for governments to invest more in research, prevention, and support to address these challenges.”
The MENT research group examines how mental health can be promoted in society, with a special focus on vulnerable and diverse groups such as young people, the elderly, migrants, LGBTQ+ communities, patients, and their caregivers. Through transdisciplinary collaboration and the use of diverse research methods, MENT strives to generate scientific insights that can be translated into concrete interventions.
Lara Vesentini, postdoctoral researcher at MENT, says: “This action highlights that mental health is not an individual issue, but a societal one. We are pleased that through this awareness campaign, we have been able to reach so many people.”*
*This is a machine translation. We apologise for any inaccuracies.
About MENT
The MENT research group was founded in 2014 at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). The group focuses on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research into mental health and wellbeing. MENT works from a holistic model and studies how the dynamic and complex interactions of biopsychosocial factors influence mental health. The research group conducts studies among diverse—often vulnerable—population groups, such as children, adolescents, the elderly, minorities, LGBTQ+ communities, and patients. Their goal is to contribute to practical and societal applications that improve mental wellbeing through scientific knowledge.