Mental health is no longer a silent burden—it is a defining public health challenge in the post-pandemic era.
Within the European Public Health Week (EUPHW) 2026, this lecture addresses the sharp increase in mental health disorders following COVID-19 and the urgent need for systemic responses. Delivered to third-year nursing students, the session will examine key barriers such as stigma-driven delays in help-seeking and the growing strain on psychiatric services.

The event will highlight the critical role of public health in prevention, early detection, and reducing disease burden, alongside the need to strengthen primary health care and community-based mental health services. It will also emphasise the strategic importance of investing in the health workforce, particularly nurses, as frontline professionals in early recognition, referral, and patient-centred support.

By linking education, policy, and practice, the lecture aims to contribute to building more resilient, accessible, and stigma-free mental health systems.