As part of the ENMESH 2026 (European Network for Mental Health Service Evaluation) conference in Sofia (Bulgaria), the symposium “Equality and Participation in Mental Health: European Frameworks for Peer Support and Citizenship” was held, where we shared European frameworks on peer support and citizenship in mental health.
During the symposium, we presented the paper “Citizenship as Mental Health: A Values-Based Framework for Peer Support Practice”, exploring how the concept of citizenship can provide a meaningful framework for understanding and strengthening peer support practices in mental health. Moderated and organised by Ramona Hiltensperger, the symposium brought together international professionals and researchers. Henning Pettersen also presented the European TuTo3-PAT project, focused on peer support in mental health.
The session highlighted the importance of continuing to advance rights-based mental health systems while strengthening the role of peer support as a key tool for recovery and social inclusion.