NEXT-GENERATION RESEARCHERS URGED TO SHAPE A NEW HOLISTIC EUROPEAN PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH AGENDA

Abstract

As the current COVID-19 crisis reminds us, public mental health may still lack full recognition in public

health, despite numerous European public health agendas that underline the importance of mental health

within the public health domain. We examine the position of public mental health in European public

health and how it is represented in current research. Moreover, we explore how public mental health could

play a key role in both seizing present-day opportunities (e.g. telemedicine advancements) and tackling

future challenges (e.g. climate change and the risk for widening health inequities) in public health. To

further population health in an equitable manner, an inclusive and holistic approach to health is needed to

sustain resilient people in healthy environments. As next-generation researchers, we call on our peers to

amplify their voices and reshape the public health research agenda by further prioritizing public mental

health research.