5.X.2. PechaKucha: Innovation in times of crises – new models of health and psychosocial care

Abstract In contexts marked by vulnerability, marginalisation, or structural exclusion, populations such as people in prison, migrant women, and youth living in under-resourced settings often experience barriers to health care. These groups often face overlapping social determinants that exacerbate health inequities, while also remaining underrepresented in the design of health interventions. This workshop aims to explore novel approaches in mental health care research and how they can contribute to the promotion of health, mental well-being, and inclusion in diverse vulnerable settings. The objective is to share research insights and experiences, reflect on methodological and ethical considerations, and discuss the potential of these approaches to inform research, practice, and policy in public health. The added value of this workshop lies in its focus on tools that facilitate the interpretation of participants’ realities and inner worlds. They uncover specific experiences of groups in vulnerable conditions that are often excluded from standardized health interventions, thus enriching the understanding of health needs and broadening the scope of public health. The workshop brings together four studies that apply diverse methodologies in contexts marked by structural vulnerability and social marginalisation. The first presentation investigates the perceived availability of health care services and its associations with sociodemographic and health factors from the perspective of persons living in a rural area in Northern Germany. The second presentation provides important insights into the role of the arts in the promotion of mental health outside of clinical settings. The third presentation is about the 10306 helpline in Greece, which integrates immediate crisis support, structured short-term therapy and coordinated referral pathways. The fourth presentation is dedicated to the international Joint Action Programme JA ImpleMENTAL, which has supported numerous countries in the transition to community-based mental health care. The fifth presentation draws on the Erasmus+ funded project PARTNER, which applies participatory future-oriented thinking in prison settings. The workshop will follow an interactive format. Following the presentations, a moderated discussion will highlight cross-cutting themes such as methodological challenges, contextual adaptation, and implications for public health practice. The final part will engage the audience in a participatory reflection, with the goal of generating shared insights and recommendations for the integration of participatory approaches in public health strategies. Key messages • Innovative methods help uncover unmet mental health care needs in vulnerable populations. • In order to be more inclusive, equitable and responsive to structural vulnerability, adaptations of systems and services are needed in future health care.