We were so excited to have Prof. dr. Morten Kringelbach (University of Oxford, Aarhus University) join us for our Green Light Symposium and Party. His interdisciplinary work has focused on understanding and promoting human thriving and was beautifully summarized in his contribution: ''Searching for the constellation of brain regions needed for meaning making and thriving''. The central hypothesis is being pursued that human flourishing is orchestrated by a necessary and sufficient but unstable constellation of brain regions and networks at the top of the brain hierarchy. 

Morten shared insights and ideas surrounding these five key areas - it was a beautiful display of research  with inspiring moments and fun interactive pieces. 

The Centre of Urban Mental Health is home to many individuals  and research teams contributing to the work we do on a daily basis. Claudi and Reinout, directors of the Centre, gave a presentation briefly summarizing the work over the past 5 years and introducting the plans for the next 5 years.

They gave an overview of the many ongoing UMH projects and gave insight to the research happening. Urban living is on the rise. Urban environments, like Amsterdam, are characterized by features that make city life not only attractive and exciting, but also more challenging and stressful than rural environments, which negatively impacts mental health. 

This symposium presentation allowed them to share and express the eagerness to one the one hand continue and expand current and new research projects, often in close collaboration with societal partners, and on the other hand direct more focused attention to the development of targeted interventions for mental health issues.

Here, our focus will remain on, in an urban context, the three most common mental disorders: addiction, anxiety, and depression.