S.O.S. Mental Health: Toward Thriving Cities for Future Generations (afternoon session)
Fringe event organised by the Centre for Urban Mental Health, as part of the IAS Festival
- Date
- 20 May 2026
- Time
- 13:00 -17:00
- Location
- University Library
- Room
- Surgical Theatre
This interdisciplinary symposium, organized by the Centre for Urban Mental Health, explores how city characteristics can foster mental health. From nature-based solutions (special guest: Kathy Willis) and urban interventions, speakers will provide different innovative perspectives on how mental well-being and resilience can be improved in an urban context. Proposed solutions are discussed with the audience.
In this afternoon session of the symposium, Kathy Willis will give a keynote lecture. After the keynote A project carousel will take place, featuring short presentations form project teams and directors.
Speakers
Confirmed speakers: Kathy Willis, Eveline Crone, Johan Bollen, UMH Directors (Claudi Bockting, Reinout Wiers, Harm Krugers).
About the organiser: Centre for Urban Mental Health
The Centre for Urban Mental Health (UMH) - Finding new pathways to improve mental health in the city
For the first time in history, more people live in cities than in rural areas. Untfortuntealy, urban life can challenge mental well-being. At UMH, we explore how people can thrive and how to reduce mental disorders such as depression, addiction, and anxiety. Using complexity science, researchers from three UvA Faculties: Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG), Medicine (FG), andScience (FNWI), together with the Institute for Advanced Study
(IAS), collaborate to uncover new solutions.
Registration
Registration for this session will be available from February 1, 2026.
From 18 to 21 May 2026, the University of Amsterdam's Institute for Advanced Study celebrates its 10th anniversary with the IAS Festival: a week-long programme dedicated to reflection, exchange and forward-looking dialogue. The festival marks a decade of boundary-crossing interdisciplinary research while exploring the complex questions that will shape the years to come.
The programme includes the launch of a special anniversary publication "The Edge of Knowing", alongside a series of Future Challenges sessions that bring together leading thinkers from science, society, policy and the arts. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with urgent themes, transcending disciplinary boundaries and exploring new perspectives in lectures, discussions and interactive sessions.