St Mary’s University will bring together researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, local government, community organisations and people with lived experience for a special event marking World Mental Health Day 2026.
Celebrating World Mental Health Day 2026: Research, Voices & Collaboration will take place on Friday 9 October, from 9.30am to 12pm at The Exchange in Twickenham.
The event will mark the public launch of St Mary’s Research Centre for Applied Health and Wellbeing, alongside the launch of a new policy White Paper exploring barriers to digital primary and mental healthcare for migrant communities in London.
Exploring digital healthcare access for migrant communities
The White Paper, Availability Is Not Accessibility, is led by Dr Arlinda Cerga-Pashoja and explores how migrant communities experience digital pathways to primary and mental healthcare.
It highlights that the availability of a digital service does not necessarily mean that it is accessible in practice. Barriers can arise throughout the healthcare journey, while factors including language, trust, digital skills and the availability of human support can influence whether people are able to access and navigate services.
The White Paper sets out nine practical recommendations and is accompanied by a migrant-inclusive digital pathways Toolkit, designed to support GP practices, voluntary and community organisations and other stakeholders in making services more accessible and inclusive.
Research, voices and collaboration
The event will look beyond the White Paper to explore how research, lived experience and collaboration can help address real-world health and wellbeing challenges.
The morning will include a cross-sector panel, bringing together different perspectives on health and wellbeing, as well as a session exploring how lived experience can genuinely influence research and services.
An interactive networking session will also give participants the opportunity to share challenges facing their organisations or communities and identify opportunities for future collaboration.
The event is particularly relevant to those working across healthcare, mental health, local government, policy, research and community organisations, as well as organisations supporting migrants and underserved communities.
Attend the launch
The event is free and open to everyone, although registration is required.
Celebrating World Mental Health Day 2026: Research, Voices & Collaboration
- Friday 9 October 2026
- 9.30am–12pm
- The Exchange, Twickenham
Enquiries
For enquiries, please contact:
Press team
020 8240 8262