Finding new pathways to unravel urban mental health: from complexity to action

The Centre for Urban Mental Health aims to find new pathways to improve urban mental health, taking into account the complexity and dynamics of mental health problems and mental health disorders in urban environments.

There is much to gain from urban mental health research. Urban living is on the rise: more than 50 percent of the world’s population currently lives in urban areas, a proportion that is expected to rise to 66 percent by 2050. Urban environments are characterised by features that make city life not only economically attractive and exciting, but also more challenging and stressful than rural environments (‘urban stress’), which influences mental health. The research is aimed at understanding why and when some groups or individuals thrive in an urban setting, whereas other individuals are vulnerable and develop mental problems.

Our approach integrates previously unconnected theories and sources to identify new leverage points for interventions and policy making, which can be tested in collaboration with societal partners and have direct relevance for mental health in general, and for Amsterdam in particular.

We involve large stakeholders group in Amsterdam, as well as at national and international level. This includes stakeholders, such as Gemeente Amsterdam, GGD, mental health care organisations, primary care centers, schools, patient organisations, family organisations, companies, as well postdoctoral training organisations for professionals in mental health, and policy makers.

Image credits

Icon image: Urban Mental Health (UvA)