Building on the momentum of the Poland Country Profile and Denmark Country Profile, the Rethinking Schizophrenia initiative now turns its focus to Germany, examining how national policy can support more integrated, person-centred schizophrenia care.

The Germany Country Profile builds on discussions from a Germany-focused webinar held on 4 March 2026, organised by the European Brain Council and the German Brain Council together with the Departments of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Universities of Munich and Lübeck. Titled “AI-supported prediction and intervention: A comprehensive approach to integrated biopsychosocial schizophrenia care”, the event brought together clinicians, researchers, policymakers, patient advocates, and mental health organisations to examine current developments and challenges in schizophrenia prevention and care in Germany.

The programme explored topics including AI-supported early detection, translational research, innovative care models, lifestyle interventions, and the perspectives of families and caregivers, followed by a roundtable discussion on future directions for schizophrenia care within a broader European brain health framework.

About Schizophrenia Care in Germany

Germany has a strong foundation for schizophrenia care, supported by high investment in mental health services, well-established clinical guidelines, and longstanding expertise in early psychosis intervention. Recent initiatives in precision psychiatry, artificial intelligence-supported risk prediction, digital mental health interventions, and community-based care models demonstrate the country’s continued commitment to innovation and evidence-based care.

At the same time, the report identifies several persistent challenges. Fragmented healthcare structures across the federal states continue to contribute to unequal access to services, delays in treatment, and difficulties navigating care pathways. Limited access to psychotherapy, insufficient community-based support, stigma, workforce shortages, and gaps in continuity of care, particularly during transitions from youth to adult services, remain significant barriers for people living with schizophrenia and their families.

Key priorities of the German recommendations

• Strengthening nationwide early psychosis intervention services
• Shortening the duration of untreated psychosis through earlier detection and prevention
• Expanding multidisciplinary and community-based care pathways
• Improving implementation of research and innovation into routine care
• Strengthening the use of digital and AI-supported mental health approaches
• Promoting anti-stigma initiatives and recovery-oriented support
• Improving continuity of care during transitions between youth and adult services

Explore the full Germany Country Profile to learn more about the country’s policy landscape, emerging opportunities, and recommendations for strengthening schizophrenia prevention and care. (A German translation will follow in the coming weeks.)

As part of Brain Awareness Week 2026, the European Brain Council (EBC) joins forces under the Brain Health Mission with key strategic partners the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) and the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS). Supported by MEP Angelika Winzig (EPP, AT), a full day of events will take place in Brussels under the umbrella Brain Health Day: Prevention, Policy, Progress on 18 March 2026. The event in question, A European Vision for Brain Health: Coordinating Research, Care & Innovation, hosted by MEP Angelika Winzig (EPP, Austria), will take place in the Presidential Salon of the European Parliament from 16:00 – 18:00.

Brain Awareness Week is the global campaign to increase public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research. Every March, the week unites the efforts of partner organizations world-wide in a celebration of the brain for people of all ages. EBC takes part annually with an initiative to promote and communicate on brain health and research, showcasing ongoing efforts to prevent and treat brain disorders – neurological and mental alike – in Europe. The goal of these activities is to gain more attention for brain health, not only from within the wider brain community but also from EU policymakers and the public, to ensure that more resources are channelled towards prevention awareness, research on the brain and for the millions of Europeans currently living with or affected by a brain condition.

As the European Union finalises its 10th Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, which will define the trajectory of Europe’s scientific and technological leadership for the years to come, there is a unique window of opportunity to ensure that the brain is firmly anchored in the EU’s policy agendas. This event will help shape a powerful political momentum at a decisive time for concerted EU action. Building on the growing movement across Europe and globally to develop national brain strategies, this year’s event will serve as a platform to highlight how coordinated approaches – across research, care systems, innovation ecosystems and prevention frameworks – can accelerate progress and reduce fragmentation. The event will also leverage the activities led by the European Academy of Neurology, from its Brain Health Summit to the week-long exhibition in the European Parliament, therefore offering an unprecedented opportunity to amplify messages, strengthen collaboration and build a unified momentum for brain health in the European union. It will also connect directly with the ongoing work to establish an EU Coordination Plan for the Brain, ensuring that Europe’s brain health ecosystem evolves in a coherent and impactful way.

This event is supported by Angelini Pharma, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Lundbeck and Roche.

Programme

Master of Ceremony:

Following our successful Poland Country Profile launch in June 2025, we are pleased to release the second instalment in the Rethinking Schizophrenia Country Profiles series: This time for Denmark.

On 8 December 2025, the Danish Brain Council and the European Brain Council convened a webinar titled “A Comprehensive, High-Quality Approach to the Treatment of Schizophrenia in Adolescents and Young Adults“, bringing together experts to discuss Denmark’s progress in implementing comprehensive care pathways for schizophrenia. The webinar highlighted country-specific findings barriers, and best practices in delivering youth-focused mental health care.

About Schizophrenia Care in Denmark:

Denmark’s recent governmental initiatives represent significant progress toward comprehensive schizophrenia care. New measures will ensure early intervention services are available for all age groups nationwide, supported by national treatment guidelines and quality databases. The Danish model emphasises early detection, evidence-based treatments, and integrated care across the life course. While challenges remain—including treatment gaps for young people, regional access disparities and persistent stigma—Denmark’s 10-year action plan for mental health care demonstrates ambitious commitment to raising psychiatric care to the same standards as cancer treatment. As Denmark concluded its 2025 EU Council Presidency, its advances in early intervention and coordinated care positioned it as a valuable contributor to shaping European brain health policy.

Explore the full Denmark Country Profile to learn more about policy priorities, emerging opportunities and recommendations for advancing schizophrenia care across Europe. (The Danish translation will follow in the coming weeks).

In 2022, the Danish Health Authority presented comprehensive recommendations for a 10-year action plan for strengthening mental health care. In this document, five key challenges were identified:

• Insufficient service availability, capacity, coordination and cooperation
• Insufficient quality and interdisciplinarity in existing mental health and social care services
• Inadequate prevention and early interventions
• Stigmatisation, lack of prioritisation and equity
• Inadequate research, professional development and lack of prestige

Key priorities of the Danish recommendations:

• Establishing easily accessible high-quality services in the municipalities for children and young people with mental health conditions
• Strengthened treatment and care for people with severe mental disorders
• Anti-stigmatisation of mental disorders
• Strengthened multidisciplinary and professional environments
• Further research and development in Psychiatry

As part of Brain Awareness Week 2026, the Brain Health Mission, along with key strategic partners, the European Academy of Neurology (EAN), the European Brain Council (EBC) and the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS), as well as the support of Angelika Winzig MEP are organising a full day of events in Brussels highlighting the brain entitled Brain Health Day: Prevention, Policy, Progress on 18 March 2026. The day features three events aimed at advancing both policy and practice to improve brain health outcomes:

The European Brain Health Summit (09:30-12:30 CET) will focus on the need for a coherent European strategy for brain health, spanning early childhood development, lifelong brain health maintenance, and the prevention of neurological conditions. Discussions will highlight how aligned policies and sustained investment can reduce the growing burden of neurological disorders, support economic growth, and drive innovation.

The Brain Health Mission Exhibition at European Parliament (14:00–15:00 CET) hosted by Angelika Winzig MEP will showcase the role of brain health in Europe’s well-being, productivity, and societal resilience, underlining why brain health is a cross-cutting policy priority. The event will focus on actionable strategies for prevention, early intervention, and sustainable solutions that can drive long-term impact for brain health.

A European Vision for the Brain: Coordinating Research, Care & Innovation (16:00-18:00 CET) will take place at a key moment as the European Union finalises its 10th Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, offering a unique window to ensure the brain is firmly anchored in EU policy agendas. Featuring EBC and FENS and hosted by MEP Angelika Winzig within the European Parliament, the event will highlight how coordinated approaches across research, care systems, innovation ecosystems and prevention frameworks can accelerate progress and reduce fragmentation, ensuring Europe’s brain health ecosystem evolves in a coherent and impactful way.

Join us on 18 March to attend the Brain Health Day and take part in discussions shaping the future of brain health in Europe: Brain Health Day: Prevention, Policy, Progress.

Organised by: the Brain Health Mission, along with key strategic partners, the European Academy of Neurology (EAN), the European Brain Council (EBC) and the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS), as well as the support of Angelika Winzig MEP.

Fireside Chat: Towards a European Partnership for Brain Health

EBC’s Executive Director, Frédéric Destrebecq, moderated the fireside chat  “Towards a European partnership for brain health: priority setting for the future of EU-funding”. The discussion featured Suzanne Dickson (EBC President), Melanie Neijts (Dutch Research Council), Catherine Marquer (Agence Nationale de la Recherche) and Andreas Reif (University Medical Center Frankfurt). Panelists discussed the forthcoming European Partnership on Brain Health, planned for launch in 2026, exploring strategies to ensure its success and long-term sustainability.

Plenary Panel Discussion: Mental Health Research in Transition

EBC also contributed to the plenary panel  “Mental health research in transition”, moderated by Barbara Franke (Radboud University). Speakers included Celso Arango (Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón), Péter Kéri (GAMIAN-Europe), Suzanne Dickson (EBC President), Gerard Dawson (P1vital Products LTD; ECNP), Ekta Patel (Medicines Discovery Catapult) and Iracema Leroi (Global Brain Health Institute). The conversation emphasised the need to reimagine mental health research frameworks, advocating for innovative, patient-centred research projects that transform care for individuals living with psychiatric conditions.

Poster session: Innovative Approaches to Early Psychosis Care

In a poster session titled  “Innovative approaches to identify individuals experiencing first-episode psychosis and connect them to integrated care pathways”, Vinciane Quoidbach, Research Project Manager at EBC, presented findings from EBC’s Rethinking Schizophrenia project and survey conducted in nine European countries amongst mental health professionals between 14 May and 3 August 2024. The study examined care pathways for young individuals experiencing first-episode psychosis (FEP), highlighting common trends, challenges and best practices in FEP care delivery. The results underscored the importance of developing a brain health-centred framework that promotes early identification, holistic care, access to innovative treatments and attention to social determinants of health to improve schizophrenia care and quality of life.

EBC Booth

Throughout the Congress, the EBC booth served as an interactive space for researchers, clinicians, students and innovators to learn more about EBC’s initiatives. Visitors engaged with EBC representatives on topics such as bridging science and policy, advancing research on rare brain diseases, and participating in Brain Innovation Days activities and capacity-building workshops.

The ECNP Congress 2025 sparked dialogue on the growing significance of collaboration between research, innovation and policy in shaping Europe’s future of brain health—a vision EBC continues to champion across all its initiatives.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the various sessions, listened to the poster presentation, stopped by the EBC booth, and contributed to the many meaningful discussions throughout the event. EBC is looking forward to the next ECNP congress, set to take place on 10-13 October , 2026, in Munich (Germany)!

On Sunday, 5 October, the European Brain Council (EBC) took part in a session themed “Research in European Neuroscience.” Suzanne Dickson, EBC President, delivered a speech on the “Structure, scope, and scale of EU-funded research in neuroscience”, covering the mission of the European Brain Council, the forthcoming European BrainHealth Partnership, and the European Coordination Plan.

EBC was also represented by Daniel Wójcik, Member of the IBRO Pan-Europe Regional Committee, who spoke about National Brain Plans and the EBC initiative on the European Charter for the Responsible Development of Neurotechnologies. Additionally, Katrin Rabiei, EANS Member and EBC Board Member, presented on the Comprehensive Research Strategy for the EANS – Implementation, Performance Metrics, and Evaluation, highlighting the collaboration and shared initiatives between EBC and EANS.

The EBC booth was present throughout the congress, serving as a visible representation of the Council and its ongoing initiatives. It provided attendees with an opportunity to learn more about EBC’s work, including its projects, partnerships, and advocacy efforts in neuroscience and brain health. Through the booth, the Council was able to maintain a presence at the event, reinforce its role within the European neurosurgical and neuroscience community, and highlight its commitment to promoting research, collaboration, and innovation across Europe.

On 14 October 2025, join us for “The Brain as a Strategic Asset”. With neurological and mental disorders representing a leading cause of disability and costing the European Union between €800 billion and €1.4 trillion annually, we can no longer sideline brain health in the EU’s policy frameworks and funding decisions. Hosted by MEP Zdechovsky, this event will spotlight how the European Union is beginning to rise to the challenge – through increased legislative momentum on a Neurological and Mental Health Strategy, the upcoming launch of the European Partnership for Brain Health in 2026 and the work to develop an EU Coordination Plan for the Brain.

As Europe navigates a volatile and fast-changing world, the time has come to acknowledge and invest in our most vital asset: the brain. From digital and demographic transitions to climate and security challenges, the EU is being forced to adapt – and so are citizens, whose brain resilience will be key. At the heart of health, innovation, competitiveness and resilience, brain health is no longer a niche concern but a societal, political and economic priority for the whole continent.

More than ever, Europe must recognise the strategic value of investing in brain research and innovation and encourage the translation of scientific progress into real-world applications across health, social, educational and industrial policy. This event is a call to action for policymakers, patients, carers, scientists, innovators and citizens to come together and reimagine the European Union through the lens of the brain – placing it at the heart of a healthier, smarter and more resilient future.

With the ultimate goal to preserve and promote brain health in society and to enhance the well-being of people with neurological and mental health conditions in Europe and worldwide, the Coordination and Support Action (CSA) BrainHealth has been preparing for the launch of a European Partnership for Brain Health. Supported by the European Commission, the CSA BrainHealth gathers national and regional funders and relevant stakeholders in Europe and beyond, in close connection with the research community to enable collaboration and a broad dialogue, paving the way towards the future Partnership.

Third in a series of webinars aiming at informing global stakeholders about the upcoming Partnership and putting EU brain research on the global stage, the CSA BrainHealth Webinar “Towards a Global Brain Health Data Space” will take place on 9th of October 2025 at 14:00 – 15:40 CEST. Gathering global actors in brain health, the webinar will explore regional perspectives and priorities, together with identifying barriers and opportunities for collaboration towards a global brain health data space.

Practical Details

About the European Partnership for Brain Health (EP BrainHealth)

Brain disorders – neurological and mental alike – are leading causes of mortality and disability globally, placing a great burden on society as a whole: affecting not only the millions of Europeans affected by a brain condition but their families, professional and informal carers, as well as healthcare systems and national economies as a whole.

To take on these grand challenges, a coordinated, sustainable, and holistic research and innovation initiative, the European Partnership for Brain Health (EP BrainHealth), is envisaged as a major joint effort of the European Commission, Member States and Associated Countries in collaboration with international partners. By capitalising on existing initiatives, synergies will be formed and links with all relevant stakeholders in the brain health sector and beyond will be strengthened to increase and align efforts and funding. A joint Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) and the resulting Implementation Plan will provide impetus to brain research, innovation, and health care aimed to improve and maintain brain health in society. The expected impact of the EP BrainHealth is an accelerated translation of research results into improved brain health protection- and care-strategies as well as new and better technology for diagnostics and treatment. The harmonisation of approaches and consideration of legal, social, and ethical aspects of brain health research will improve the implementation of research results and public health policies. By focusing not only on brain disorders but also on the protection of brain health, the EP BrainHealth will pave the way towards a healthier society.