EUFAMI

29/05/2026

We hear a lot about mental health from doctors, therapists, and advocates on the outside looking in. But Laurent Lefebvre, member of , and a person with lived-experience, speaks from the heart.
After years battling schizophrenia, Laurent now stands transformed on the other. He doesn’t just describe the illness. He describes getting through it from within. The small victories. The strange lucid moments in the fog. The slow, unglamorous work of rebuilding trust in his own mind. And now he speaks about schizophrenia differently, not as a life sentence, but as a journey he completed from the inside out.
We thank Laurent for trusting us with his story.

29/05/2026

It was a privilege to hear Urs Wursch, former President of , speak at the EUFAMI & Joint Forum. IN his presentation, “Childhood Under Pressure – Young Relatives,” Urs spoke from the heart, cut through the clinical noise and landed on a truth we often overlook: Mental illness doesn’t just affect the diagnosed, but it rewires the childhood of everyone under the same roof.

Urs highlighted a powerful, uncomfortable reality:
🔹 Young relatives often grow up faster. Not by choice, but by necessity
🔹 They are the “silent second patients” – rarely asked how they are coping.
🔹 The lack of family-inclusive support systems means these children face higher risks of anxiety, depression, and their own complex trauma.

But the message wasn’t one of despair. It was a call to action.

✔️Age-appropriate psychoeducation for young carers
✔️Respite that isn’t an afterthought
✔️Peer support specifically for siblings and children

Recovery isn’t an individual sport. It’s a family ecosystem. And if we want to break intergenerational cycles of mental distress, we start by seeing, and supporting, the child in the corner who loves their parent but fears their illness.

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29/05/2026

We are pleased to welcome the French delegation from to the joint / Forum in Baden-Baden, Germany where they are presenting an overview of the important initiatives supporting families affected by mental ill health.
Their presentation highlights the wide range of actions Unafam undertakes in France and across Europe to strengthen family carer advocacy, promote inclusion, and ensure that the voices of families are heard in mental health policy and service development.

A sincere thank you to our colleagues from UNAFAM for sharing their expertise and commitment to empowering families.

29/05/2026

It has been an insightful moment at the / Joint Forum where EUFAMI Vice President Dr. Friedrich Leidinger sat down with Maria Rave-Schwank and Anja Kayser.

The topic couldn't have been more urgent: The problems, developments, and solutions for family carers in Europe.

🌿 Key takeaways from the discussion:
✔️ The Stigma Challenge: Families often remain the "hidden workforce" in mental health care, yet they face significant stigma and social isolation .
✔️Bridging Gaps: The discussion moved on how to move from fragmented support to real, cross-border solutions.

The conversation reinforced that empowering family carers isn't just compassionate; it is essential for the recovery journey of loved ones.

A huge thank you to our guests of honour for sharing their experiences so openly, and to Dr. Leidinger for leading this vital dialogue.

It is only through unity and shared knowledge that we can break the stigma and build a supportive Europe for all families.

29/05/2026

🌿 A powerful start to the - (Bundesverband der Angehörigen psychisch erkrankter Menschen e. V.) Joint Forum in beautiful Baden-Baden.

There is something special about gathering in a city that knows how to blend tradition, healing, and collaboration. Baden-Baden provided the perfect backdrop for the commencement of the EUFAMI BApK Joint Forum today.
We officially opened our doors with a series of powerful welcome remarks from Karl-Heinz Mohrmann, President of , Åsa Konradsson-Geuken, President of EUFAMI.
And we were deeply honoured to be welcomed by Alexander Wieland, Assistant Mayor of Baden-Baden himself.

Thank you to everyone who made this possible.

11/05/2026

👨‍👨‍👦‍👦 Together with the European Psychiatric Association, we are pleased to invite you to the "Empowering Caregivers, Enhancing Recovery" webinar on the 15th of May 2026!

💡 Register with the link: https://lnkd.in/etMqWtdt, for insightful presentations by the key speakers!

🫂 For International Day of Families, the EPA is pleased to announce the webinar “Empowering Caregivers, Enhancing Recovery”, taking place on Friday, 15 May 2026, from 16:30 to 18:00 CEST.

🔗 Learn more and register today : https://www.europsy.net/empowering-caregivers-enhancing-recovery/

📝 This webinar is organised by the EPA Scientific Section on Public Mental Health and European Federation of Associations of Families of People with Mental Illness (EUFAMI).

15/04/2026

🌟 EUFAMI Newsletter Vol. XIV is here! 🌟

We’re excited to share the latest edition of our newsletter, packed with important updates, inspiring stories, and impactful actions from across our network.

In this volume, you'll find:
✔️ Highlights from recent advocacy efforts
✔️ Upcoming events you won't want to miss
✔️ Updates on ongoing EU projects
✔️ News from our member organisations

📬 Read the full newsletter here 👉 http://bit.ly/48CWnsX

30/03/2026

Here we are, Day 3 and final day for Dimitra at the . You still have a few hours to come and grab her for a chat.

It has been a real pleasure reconnecting with friends and making new ones at one of the most interesting and exciting annual events in Europe. This year’s programme brought together an incredible range of topics, from digital mental health and AI-driven innovation, to early intervention, stigma reduction, community-based care, and the vital role of families and lived experience in shaping better systems.
We are once again delighted to be part of this inspiring community by sharing our work, learning from others, and strengthening collaboration with researchers and professionals from across Europe.

Thank you to everyone who made this event so meaningful. We are already looking forward to continuing the conversation at in Florence, Italy!!!

30/03/2026

Day 3 at the !

Mental health care in Europe is at a pivotal moment, and collaboration has never been more essential.
The Joint Symposium, bringing together European Federation of Psychologists' Associations (EFPA), EUFAMI, GAMIAN-Europe, and , that kick-started our day, highlighted a shared commitment to addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing mental health across the continent.
A key message that resonated strongly came from Åsa Konradsson-Geuken, who emphasised something we must not overlook: families are not just supporters, but they are partners in care. Their lived experience, insight, and continuous involvement are fundamental to achieving better outcomes for individuals and stronger, more responsive systems.
If we are serious about transforming mental health care, we must ensure that families are recognised, included, and empowered at every level; from policy to practice.

29/03/2026

🧠 We are proud to be at the , not just as participants, but as partners in one of the most forward-thinking initiatives in brain health.
As a partner of the Virtual Brain Twin Project (www.virtualbraintwin.eu), EUFAMI is bringing the family and carer perspective to the forefront of digital neuroscience.
What is the Virtual Brain Twin Project?
It is an ambitious EU-funded initiative creating and testing a digital platform for treating psychosis in schizophrenia patients, in particular providing guidance in medication.
We invite you to visit our team, connect with us, and learn how the Virtual Brain Twin is moving from science fiction to patient and carer reality.
👉 Learn more: www.virtualbraintwin.eu