WHO–WONCA Mini-Conference on Mental Health and Primary Care
Announcing the 2026 WHO–WONCA Mini-Conference on Mental Health and Primary Care
We are pleased to announce a new event in the WHO PHC Mini-Conference Series, jointly organised by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe and WONCA.
On 25–26 February 2026, an online mini-conference will bring together primary care leaders, policymakers, clinicians, and researchers to focus on scaling up mental health services within the primary health care approach.
Primary care is uniquely placed to promote mental wellness. Through continuity of care and long-term relationships, primary care teams build trust, support early identification, and respond to mental health needs across the life course. While mental health challenges are universal, solutions must be tailored to communities and local contexts.
The mini-conference builds on the 2025 WHO policy paper
Scaling up mental health within primary care approach: Lessons from the WHO European Region
and moves the discussion from policy commitments to practical action.
The programme will feature keynote contributions and panel discussions with leading voices from WHO and WONCA, including Prof Christos Lionis, current Chair of the WONCA Working Party on Mental Health, and Prof Chris Dowrick, Past Chair of the WONCA Working Party on Mental Health. They will be joined by Dr Viviana Martinez-Bianchi, WONCA President, Dr Kim Yu, WONCA Liaison to WHO, and Dr Ana Luisa Neves, Chair of the WONCA Working Party on Digital Health.
Participants will explore practical strategies for strengthening mental health services in primary care, including early identification and prevention, redesigning primary care models, workforce education and training, sustainable financing, and the responsible use of digital tools and AI.
Co-organised by WHO/Europe and WONCA, this mini-conference reflects a shared commitment to people-centred, community-based mental health care, with primary care at its core.
The provisional programme is now available, with registration details to follow.