“A valuable platform for exchanging knowledge and experiences in mental health research and innovation”

A connection that became the start of something bigger

Following a presentation of SOLH to a delegation visiting Umeå – arranged by the Government of Catalonia’s representation in Sweden – contacts with the Catalan sister initiative, the TECSAM Network, continued to grow. In the spring of 2024, the team of the SOLH project visited TECSAM and the catalan innovation ecosystem within a warm visit that strengthened the collaboration. Just over a year later, a delegation of 13 representatives was welcomed in Sweeden to an extensive programme of meetings, research exchanges and study visits in Umeå, Skellefteå and Luleå, focusing on mental health. The aim was to initiate and strengthen concrete collaborations between researchers and organisations.

The main goal of the TECSAM Network’s visit to northern Sweden was to promote international collaboration in mental health research and knowledge transfer between the northern Sweden ecosystem and TECSAM’s research lines and projects. Another objective was to foster joint research funding applications within EU programmes, not only for ongoing projects but also to build a European network in mental health that would facilitate the implementation of innovative solutions.

”International collaborations are particularly important in the field of mental health because they allow the sharing of knowledge, methodologies, and best practices across different healthcare systems and cultural contexts,” says Judit López, Head of Innovation and promoter of the TECSAM Network.

Mental health challenges are complex and multifaceted, often requiring interdisciplinary and cross-border approaches. Collaboration across regions makes it possible to bring together perspectives from research, clinical practice and policy, helping to accelerate the development and implementation of evidence-based solutions, while also enabling mutual learning between healthcare systems, improving the quality and impact of mental health care and research. Further, and due to the complexity of mental health interventions, it is important to adapt them to each sociocultural context, something that is not possible without international collaborations.

TECSAM – A network for innovation in mental health

TECSAM is a non-profit network focused on strengthening innovation and collaboration in mental health funded by the Catalan government. They bring together 63 leading research groups from 26 institutions, including universities, research centres and hospitals, as well as more than 50 reference entities linked to the promotion of mental health such as innovation hubs, clusters, business associations, accelerators, patients associations, industry, universities, spin-off and start-ups, innovation hubs, public and governmental entities and NGOs, including UNICEF.

The network’s main mission is to accelerate the valorization and transfer of mental health evidence-based solutions and technologies to promote society’s wellbeing and quality of life of people affected by mental health problems.

Knowledge exchange in northern Sweden

During their visit to northern Sweden, the delegation engaged with research and practice across several areas. The programme included an intensive four-day agenda with visits to leading universities, hospitals, research centres, and innovation hubs across Umeå, Skellefteå and Luleå. The delegation also brought together researchers from several TECSAM projects and research groups, including MUVITY, C3-CST, EMPOWER, LONG-REMI, the eHealth Center at UOC, PERMANENS, AVATAR and PICOFON. Altogether, these teams represent expertise in areas such as digital mental health, neuropsychology, ageing and dementia, virtual reality-based therapies, suicide prevention, telerehabilitation, and language development, among others.

The activities within the programme covered a wide range of topics, including psychology and neuroscience, precision health, recovery-oriented psychiatric care, AI in education, functional brain imaging, rural mental health care, and implementation of evidence-based practices. The visit also fostered dialogue with key stakeholders from academia, healthcare systems, and regional innovation offices in northern Sweden, strengthening links for future collaboration between both ecosystems.

From TECSAM’s perspective, one of the most valuable aspects of the visit was the opportunity to experience different approaches to research transfer and implementation.

“Particularly important has been the exposure to different approaches in research transfer and implementation, as well as the possibility to learn from well-established innovation support systems. This has helped to identify shared challenges and explore complementary strengths between both ecosystems,” says Emilio Tomás, Valorization & Tech Transfer Xarxa TECSAM.

An effort to strengthen collaboration

The visit marked the beginning of a deeper international collaboration between northern Sweden and Catalonia. For SOLH, it represents an opportunity both to share and gain knowledge, with the ambition to promote innovative projects in mental health from a global perspective.

The collaboration with SOLH so far can be described as extremely positive, dynamic, and constructive.

"It has provided a valuable platform for exchanging knowledge and experiences in mental health research and innovation, fostering mutual learning between both ecosystems, with a special focus on the challenges in the research valorization and innovation transfer,” says Gemma Hernández, Innovation Business Developer and Entrepreneurship Manager.

The collaboration has already resulted in concrete benefits: new connections between researchers, ongoing dialogue through regular follow-up meetings and emerging opportunities for joint projects. Several researchers from Sweden and the TECSAM Network are now in direct contact, and continued exchanges, including reciprocal visits planned. Overall, it is an emerging partnership with strong potential, built on mutual interest, trust, and a shared commitment to advancing research and its real-world impact.

”The most valuable aspect of this collaboration has been the opportunity to establish direct long-lasting connections with leading research and innovation actors in northern Sweden, fostering meaningful exchange of knowledge and experiences in the field of mental health,” explains Sònia Canals, Communications Manager, TECSAM.

A groundwork for future joint initiatives

Looking ahead, TECSAM sees strong potential for future collaboration with knowledge transfer and the development of innovative, evidence-based solutions. Building on the connections established through the visit, future collaboration are expected to focus on joint research projects, researcher exchanges, and the sharing of methodologies and digital tools across institutions. There is also a clear opportunity to strengthen collaboration between innovation ecosystems, facilitating the transfer of research into practice and real-world impact. 

”Overall, the collaboration has strengthened mutual understanding and laid the groundwork for future joint initiatives with high potential for impact,” says Judit López, Head of Innovation and promoter of the TECSAM Network.

Altogether, we expect to further expand this collaboration through the joint participation and implementation of a European Network in the field of mental health.

Together, SOLH and TECSAM are already preparing potential European initiatives, further reinforcing the long-term ambition of this partnership.