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New Video: How EQUICARES is shaping equitable mental healthcare across Europe

We’re delighted to share the release of the official promotional video from the EQUICARES project, a major European research initiative that Jigsaw is proud to be part of. This video brings to life the vision, ambition, and impact of EQUICARES, highlighting our shared commitment to improving access to mental healthcare for people in vulnerable situations across Europe.

What Is EQUICARES?

EQUICARES is a four-year Horizon Europe project dedicated to making mental health and care services more accessible, inclusive, and equitable, especially for people who face persistent barriers to support.

The project brings together 18 partners from 9 countries, spanning research organisations, service providers, public authorities and advocacy groups, all working together to:

  • Understand barriers to mental healthcare access for vulnerable groups (including young people, migrants, older people, LGBTQI+ communities, people with disabilities, and those experiencing social or economic disadvantage).

  • Pilot innovative solutions co-designed with communities through grassroots “Smart Health Labs” in eight regions across seven countries.

  • Use cutting-edge methods like digital ethnography, advanced frameworks, and an AI-based Assistant to support mental health literacy, inclusion and digital skills.

  • Support policy change through evidence, cost analysis and tools like the Inclusive Mental Health & Care Policy Dashboard and an Atlas of innovative solutions for policymakers.

The promotional video gives a clear introduction to why this work matters and how it’s unfolding, from research to real-world impact.

Jigsaw’s Role in EQUICARES

Jigsaw’s Research & Evaluation team plays a central part in EQUICARES, bringing our expertise in mental health research, health systems evaluation and data analysis to a Europe-wide effort to understand how vulnerable populations experience care.

As part of the project:

  • We’re co-designing data collection tools and contributing to analytical frameworks that map barriers, enablements and opportunities across different contexts.

  • Our team led a dedicated Cultural Mediator and Research Team Training workshop to strengthen partners’ capacity to conduct ethical, inclusive, and culturally sensitive data collection and engagement with vulnerable groups.

  • We are actively involved in project steering and knowledge exchange, helping ensure that EQUICARES’ research approaches are ethically robust, evidence-based and informed by real lived experiences.

 

 

Jigsaw Secures European Funding for Mental Health Research

Jigsaw has secured European Horizon funding for our research work aimed at improving access to healthcare and mental healthcare amongst marginalised communities.

The Europe-wide project, involving leading research partner organisations across seven countries, is called EQUICARES.

The 4-year project will see the design and implementation of nine “Smart Health Labs” across Europe, focusing on supporting vulnerable populations, including older people, young people, and migrants.

Jigsaw’s Research & Evaluation Team will work closely with all nine pilot labs to develop a data collection tool, provide expert guidance, and lead on data analysis to better understand how vulnerable groups experience and engage with mental health services.

This is an overview of the project’s key objectives:

  • EQUICARES aims to improve access to innovative and sustainable mental health and care services for people in vulnerable situations through research, co-creation, and policy solutions.
  • It will deliver innovative mental health solutions in diverse socioeconomic settings, piloted through Smart Health Labs.
  • The project will also conduct cost analyses and develop an Inclusive Mental Health and Care Policy Dashboard to inform future service design.

Dr Jeff Moore, Director of Research & Evaluation at Jigsaw, said:

“The youth mental health crisis is undeniable—too many young people still face barriers to accessing the care they need.

“EQUICARES offers a vital opportunity to develop innovative solutions that can break down these barriers and ensure more young people receive the mental health support they deserve.”

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