The National Suicide Prevention Plan
Launched as part of the 1st National Suicide Prevention Plan (Plan National de Prévention du Suicide, PNPSL), approved by the Luxembourgish government in 2015, the mental health weeks have been organised every two years since 2018.
The aim of this plan was to address the causes and consequences of suicide, as well as to reduce suicide attempts and deaths in Luxembourg.
The Ligue Santé Mentale, through its Service Prévention et Formation, was commissioned by the Ministry of Health to coordinate the 33 actions within this plan. The launch of the mental health weeks was initiated as a component of action 15 within this plan.
The mental health weeks also align with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
As early as 2001, during the 54th World Health Assembly, the WHO urged governments to implement such weeks at a national level.
Since 2018, four editions were organised in Luxembourg:
1st edition (2018)
Depression: Let's talk
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In collaboration with partners from five municipalities across the country (Mamer, Pétange, Hersperange, Ettelbruck, and Dudelange), approximately fifty awareness-raising activities took place. The first edition revolved around the theme of depression and was held under the High Patronage of Mr. Mars Di Bartolomeo, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and Ms. Lydia Mutsch, the Minister of Health.
2nd edition (2020)
All connected
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Originally planned in collaboration with eleven municipalities (Differdange, Dudelange, Echternach, Ettelbruck, Hesperange, Mamer, Mersch, Pétange, Remich, Sanem, and Wiltz), it had to be adapted to a digital format due to the health crisis.
3rd edition (2022)
My Health, includes my mental health
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In 2022, the concept was modified to involve the entire population of Luxembourg. Anyone interested (municipalities, health care services, associations, cultural institutions, companies, and individuals) could submit activities and become part of the mental health weeks. In cooperation with 88 partners, more than a hundred actions took place.
4th edition (2024)
Empowering young people, shaping futures.
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The fourth edition was extended for the first time over two weeks, with more than 110 activities realised thanks to the collaboration with 94 partners. Among the highlight events were the Green Ribbon campaign, which gained visibility through the partnership with Jos et Jean‑Marie, and the production of a special postage stamp. Two events were also (co-)organised by the Service Prévention et Formation: the theatre play “Wellbeing Mental Noise”, in collaboration with CEPAS (Centre psycho-social et d’accompagnement scolaires), and the closing evening hosted by Yaya Van Chique, featuring three Luxembourgish artists: Edsun, Chaild, and Maz Univerze.
The National Mental Health Plan
To ensure the continuity of PNPSL (2015-2019), it is essential to pursue the actions deemed a priority within the framework of the National Mental Health Plan (Plan National de la Santé Mentale, PNSM, 2024-2028).
Among these actions, the mental health weeks unquestionably hold a pivotal position, and since the 4th edition, their duration has been extended from one to two weeks.
The green
ribbon initiative
The green ribbon is the symbol of World Mental Health Day, celebrated every year on 10 October. During the mental health weeks, everyone is warmly invited to wear the green ribbon to show their support for mental health and solidarity with people affected by mental disorders.