Barcelos will host the World Congress on Mental Health from October 30 to November 1, 2025, gathering global leaders to discuss mental health, social sustainability, and community-based approaches to care.
From October 30 to November 1, 2025, Barcelos will become the world’s center of discussion on mental health as it hosts the World Congress on Mental Health, under the theme “Mental Health and Social Sustainability: A Whole Society and Community-Based Approach.”
Organized by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) and the Municipality of Barcelos, in partnership with the National Coordination for Mental Health Policies, the event will be held in a hybrid format, with in-person sessions at Barcelos City Hall and live streaming for participants worldwide.
Confirmed speakers include Mark Humphrey Van Ommeren (World Health Organization, Geneva), José Luís Pedreira Massa (Spain), Joseph Knobel Freud (Spain), Paulo Amarante (Brazil), Roberto Mezzina (Italy), Alberto Trimboli (Argentina), Miguel Xavier (Portugal), Joaquim Gago (Portugal), among other prominent figures.
The official program — available at wfmhcongress2025.com/program — includes plenary sessions, thematic symposia, workshops, oral presentations, and posters.
Key topics
The congress will address major issues such as:
- Public policies and community-based models for mental health
- Social sustainability and integrated care
- Human rights, inclusion, and the fight against stigma
- Innovation in psychosocial rehabilitation
This event reinforces Portugal’s position as an international reference in mental health policy and consolidates Barcelos as the first World Capital of Mental Health (2023–2026).
Press Invitation
Media outlets are invited to cover this global gathering.
Press credentials and interview requests with speakers can be made through: wfmhcongress2025@wfmh.global
More information: wfmhcongress2025.com
