News about Mental health

Cancer patients are far more likely to develop mental disorder diagnoses

People diagnosed with cancer face a much greater risk of developing a mental disorder later in life than those without cancer. During the first year after diagnosis, the risk of being hospitalized with a psychiatric…

Young people from less advantaged backgrounds are more likely to have an undiagnosed eating disorder

A new study from the University of Copenhagen suggests that eating disorders are not necessarily more common among families with a high level of education – but that young people from these families are more likely to b…

ADHD and autism diagnoses have increased: New study points to broader diagnoses as an explanation

Far more people are being diagnosed with ADHD and autism today than in the past, and a new study from the University of Copenhagen shows that the genetic contributions have decreased over the past 20 years.

New scale measures mental health promoting behaviour

With the help of a nine-item scale, researchers from the University of Copenhagen are now able to measure mental health promoting behaviour and gain insight into how it affects our well-being.

Alexandra Blackwell: Building evidence for mental health and violence prevention among displaced youth

Meet Alexandra Blackwell, a postdoctoral researcher at the Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen.

‘Voluntary’ solitary confinement makes prisoners in Danish prisons ill

Eight per cent of prisoners in Danish prisons choose so‑called voluntary solitary confinement to avoid violence from other inmates. However, this ‘voluntary’ isolation is unregulated, and many vulnerable prisoners…

Why are young people’s sleep and mental health so poor? Researchers point to ‘vicious cycles’ as possible explanation

A new study from the University of Copenhagen maps a complex network of factors that may trap young adults in poor sleep patterns and mental distress.

Digital platform significantly reduces distress among children of divorce

A digital solution developed by researchers at the University of Copenhagen improves the mental health of children and young people after their parents’ divorce, according to a new study. The platform also reduces famil…

ADVANCE moves to large-scale trials after successful feasibility studies

Over the past year, ADVANCE project has successfully completed six feasibility studies across multiple European sites.

First psychiatric admission marks the beginning of a long-term illness for most patients

By following a group of young people with mental health problems for 20 years, researchers from the University of Copenhagen have found that as many as 95 per cent come into contact with hospital psychiatry again. At th…

Brain scan can reveal the risk of psychiatric hospitalisation

The brain’s reaction to negative emotions may help predict which people with depression or bipolar disorder are at heightened risk of psychiatric hospitalisation, according to new research from the University of…

Danish soldiers to receive mental training: New programme aims to strengthen both mental health and readiness

A new research-based programme is designed to equip Danish soldiers to cope with stress – both during missions and in everyday life. The programme will be rolled out in 2026 as a fixed part of basic training and will…

Webinar highlights: How do we make interdisciplinarity work in mental health research

How do we make interdisciplinarity work in mental health research: A collection of experiences and lessons from 7 EU Mental Health projects

Dr. Austėja Dumarkaitė on Good Morning, Lithuania

In this national TV interview, Dr. Austėja Dumarkaitė talks about Sija—a free, nationwide Lithuanian initiative designed to help reduce stress among young people.

Dr. Maria Castaner presents ADVANCE in Danish TV

ANTV Denmark interviewed Dr. Maria Castaner about ADVANCE's contribution to European mental health.

Pregnancy changes women’s responses to infants

Pregnant women react more positively than non‑pregnant women when exposed to audio recordings, videos, and images of infants. This suggests that pregnancy mentally prepares women to process infant signals, according to …

Francis Benyah, new book release: Cosmologies of Mental Health

We are pleased to announce the release of a new book, Cosmologies of Mental Health, by Francis Benyah. Abstract from the website: The book investigates and presents empirically grounded cases of persons…

From Archived Brains to Future Psychiatry: Revealing the role of infection in mental health

One of five projects under the new SUND Collaborates initiatives by the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, UCPH goes to Associate Professor Sandra Breum Andersen from Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics. Her…

Contraceptive pills may affect women's mental health

The contraceptive pill has been hailed as one of the most revolutionary health technologies of the 20th century – a tool that gave women control over their fertility and paved the way for education and careers. But a ne…

New Study: Cancer Diagnosis Triggers Existential Crisis and Search for Meaning

A cancer diagnosis significantly increases patients’ need to reflect on life’s big questions and find meaning in suffering - especially during the first six months after diagnosis, according to a new study. The…

Webinar highlights: Tackling Mental Health Stigma Through E-Inclusion

Digital mental health tools promise privacy and less stigma. But do they really reach those who feel most stigmatized?

Mental health problems may spill over in mother groups

In mother groups, mental health challenges can spread among new parents. New research from the University of Copenhagen and VIVE shows that the risk of experiencing postnatal reactions, such as depression, increases if…

ADVANCE's Annual Meeting 2025

The ADVANCE Consortium convened its 2025 annual meeting at Vilnius University with a pointed and powerful message: Europe’s mental health policies needs to evolve into concrete action.

Everyday PrEP negotiations - new book exposes the paradoxes of HIV prevention pills

A new open-access book published by Policy Press offers a groundbreaking perspective on one of the most promising tools in HIV prevention: PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis.