Swiss Public Health Conference 2025 - Mental Health and Wellbeing: Investing in Mental Wealth

The 2025 Swiss Public Health Conference, held jointly with the Swiss Mental Health Network Conference under the theme "Mental Health and Wellbeing: Investing in Mental Wealth", will explore the intersection of public health and mental health with a focus on shifting from traditional disease models to holistic approaches that promote human flourishing. Central questions include the impact of global crises on mental health, the socio-economic consequences of mental illness, and the integration of epidemiological methods with innovative tools such as cohorts and biobanks to identify molecular indicators of wellbeing. The conference will also critically examine prevention-oriented policy frameworks and the reframing of mental health services to prioritize health over illness.

The primary objective is to stimulate interdisciplinary discourse and evidence-based strategies for improving mental health outcomes at the population level. The conference will feature the official presentation and discussion of the 2025 National Health Report by the Swiss Health Observatory, offering national contextualization of the discussed topics. With a program designed to foster interaction—through keynote sessions, panel discussions, and parallel workshops—the conference aims to support knowledge exchange, professional networking, and policy innovation.

The event will take place on site and is expected to attract around 300 participants. Researchers and professionals will actively contribute, including five international keynote speakers supported by the SNSF grant. Gender balance and the promotion of early-career researchers have been explicitly considered, with dedicated poster sessions, presentation opportunities, and awards to recognize emerging talent.

Planned outcomes include the dissemination of new research insights, strengthened professional networks, and increased visibility of early-career contributions. Success will be evaluated through attendance figures and participant feedback, with lasting impact anticipated through continued collaboration and application of shared knowledge in public health practice and policy.