PD530 - FROM EVIDENCE TO PRACTICE: DEVELOPING A EUROPEAN AGENDA FOR NUTRITIONAL PSYCHIATRY

PD530

FROM EVIDENCE TO PRACTICE: DEVELOPING A EUROPEAN AGENDA FOR NUTRITIONAL PSYCHIATRY

A. S. Mueller-Stierlin^1,*, R. Hiltensperger¹, A. Röh²

¹University of Ulm, Ulm, ²BKH Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany

Rationale: The Lancet Psychiatry Commission reports highlight substantial physical health inequities in people with mental illness, establishing lifestyle interventions - particularly nutrition and physical activity - as an ethical imperative in mental health care. Despite increasing evidence in Nutritional Psychiatry, implementation across European systems remains fragmented. This study examines how an implementation science approach can support the scalable integration of nutritional interventions into routine mental health care.

Methods: In February 2026, a two-day multidisciplinary workshop involving approximately 35 European experts was conducted. A Theory of Change approach structured discussions on long-term impact, intermediate outcomes, key determinants, and implementation strategies. A Delphi survey was used to prioritise long-term goals and to explore underlying rationales and assumptions. Outputs were synthesised using descriptive approaches and thematic analysis.

Results: Participants agreed on a shared impact statement that focuses on enhancing mental health outcomes across European mental health services by embedding lifestyle interventions in health policy, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and addressing barriers such as food insecurity. Next steps include developing shared training resources, harmonised qualifications, and flexible, affordable lifestyle interventions co-designed with people with lived experience.

Conclusion: A theory-driven, participatory approach can operationalise the integration of nutritional and other lifestyle interventions into European mental health systems. The resulting agenda will inform initiatives within the European Psychiatric Association and national nutrition and psychiatric societies, and support the development of a European COST Action proposal, enabling coordinated, real-world implementation of Nutritional Psychiatry in clinical practice.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared