(Year 2026)

First Person Mental Health Research Group UB | Mental Health Catalonia

The collaboration between the University of Barcelona (UB) and Salut Mental Catalunya has generated new knowledge on how participation in mental health activism and volunteering influences the well-being and life experiences of those involved.

This partnership between academia and the non-profit sector has led to the study Volunteering and Activism in Mental Health: Impacts on Well-being and Citizenship, a research project that provides scientific evidence on the personal and community benefits of social participation.

The project was promoted by Salut Mental Catalunya, one of the leading organisations advocating for the rights and inclusion of people with lived experience of mental health challenges, and was carried out by the First-Person Mental Health Research Group at the University of Barcelona, with the participation of Dr Francisco José Eiroá, professor at the UB Faculty of Psychology. The initiative emerged from a shared interest in better understanding how experiences of civic participation can contribute to emotional well-being and the exercise of citizenship.

Dr Francisco José Eiroá highlights the value of this collaboration as an example of knowledge transfer with real social impact: “This research has enabled us to demonstrate that mental health activism and volunteering not only have a transformative social impact, but can also become key spaces for well-being, recognition and recovery for the people involved. Collaboration with Salut Mental Catalunya has been essential in connecting academic research with people’s direct lived experiences.”

Findings highlighting the impact on well-being and citizenship

The study, conducted throughout 2025, combined qualitative and quantitative methodologies to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon. The research included three focus groups involving around fifty participants and an online survey that collected more than 250 responses, of which 136 were included in the analysed sample. This approach made it possible to explore both personal experiences and the factors that facilitate or hinder participation.

The findings show that involvement in mental health activism and volunteering is largely associated with positive experiences of well-being. Participants identified these spaces as environments that promote destigmatisation, a sense of belonging, mutual support and community relationships. They also highlighted personal empowerment, social recognition and the opportunity to build a meaningful life project.

One of the most significant findings of the research is that many activism pathways originate from personal experiences of distress, rights violations or the need for support. Through collective participation, these experiences are transformed into social commitment and community action, generating benefits both for those directly involved and for society as a whole.

The study also highlights that factors such as perceived health, emotional support, participation in associations and community relationships are directly linked to levels of well-being and connection with citizenship. These conclusions provide valuable evidence for guiding public policies and intervention programmes aimed at promoting active participation in the field of mental health.

This project exemplifies how collaboration between universities and social organisations can generate knowledge with real-world impact. The combination of UB’s scientific rigour and Salut Mental Catalunya’s practical experience has produced valuable results for researchers, professionals and people involved in the field of mental health alike. It is an example of knowledge transfer that contributes to building a more inclusive, participatory society focused on people’s well-being.