Living in an urban environment can be a factor of poor mental health, as numerous scientific studies have shown. However, cities also offer important resources for mental health and recovery, which are under-used or too difficult to access for people with mental health problems. Thus urban spaces could play an important role in promoting mental health and recovery.

The aim of this conference is to highlight and develop this potential of cities. More specifically, it has two objectives :

• To promote the idea that mental health should become an issue shared by all city dwellers.
• To share initiatives and solutions put forward by a variety of actors in different urban contexts, to make urban spaces more conducive to mental health.

The first day features conferences and roundtable discussions with international guests. The second day is devoted to the ‘cities’ forum’, providing an opportunity to exchange and share experiences. A programme put together by the Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts de Lausanne and the Plateforme 10 museum hub will round off the day on November 20.