“United Minds: A Connected Approach to Trauma, Resilience, and Mental Health” represents an innovative effort within the EUTOPIA Alliance to address significant mental health challenges intensified by global crises like the war in Ukraine, climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic. This community leverages cross-disciplinary expertise from leading European universities to explore the neural, socio-affective, and socio-cognitive mechanisms that underpin trauma and resilience. By marrying academic rigor with real-world application, this initiative seeks to revolutionise mental health strategies and support systems for the betterment of individuals and communities alike. Our comprehensive programme includes hybrid symposia, interactive workshops, and participatory sessions designed to engage a diverse array of participants, including students, researchers, mental health professionals, policymakers, and those with personal experiences of trauma. Together, we aim to foster a deep understanding and cultivate resilience across Europe, setting new standards in mental health education and research. Join us in this vital journey towards a more resilient society.
Activities
Upcoming Activities
Past Activities
Resilience, Mindfulness, and New Perspectives: TU Dresden Hosts EUTOPIA Institute Symposium 2025
On 13–14 November 2025, the Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy at TU Dresden will host its annual Institute Symposium. The event offers insights into current research on resilience, intervention studies, clinical practice, and the biopsychological mechanisms of mental health.
Two international keynote speakers will highlight the program: Gaël Chételat (Université de Caen Normandie) will discuss the effects of mindfulness and compassion meditation on aging, while Susanne Knappe (TU Dresden) will explore new perspectives in youth suicide prevention.
The symposium provides a platform for scientific exchange and interdisciplinary dialogue, both in person at TU Dresden and across the EUTOPIA network digitally.
Online Talk: “Growing Brains – Psychological Development in Context”
On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, from 1:30 to 2:30 PM (CEST), an online talk will be held by Prof. Dr. Nora Maria Raschle from the University of Zurich.
Titled “Growing Brains – Studying the Building Blocks of Human Behaviors across Space (Brain), Time (Development) and Galaxies (Social Contexts),” the presentation will offer insights into current research at the intersection of developmental psychology, neuroscience, and social behavior.
This event is part of the EUTOPIA Connected Community United Minds: A Connected Approach to Trauma, Resilience and Mental Health and welcomes participants from all academic backgrounds interested in psychological development.
First Talk Held as Part of EUTOPIA “United Minds” Series
On Thursday, June 5, 2025, the EUTOPIA Connected Community initiative hosted its inaugural online lecture under the thematic series “United Minds: A Connected Approach to Trauma, Resilience and Mental Health.” The session featured Renee Thompson from Washington University in St. Louis, who presented on “The everyday emotional experiences of individuals with depressive psychopathology.” This talk delved into the real-world emotional dynamics experienced by people suffering from depressive disorders, focusing particularly on how daily affect fluctuates in those with depression
This lecture marked the kickoff of a two-part event sequence organized by the Chair of Clinical Psychology & Behavioural Neuroscience at TU Dresden. It set the stage for the second presentation by Prof. Dr. Nora Maria Raschle (University of Zurich), which followed on July 1, 2025 .
The “United Minds” series explores the intersections of brain science, development, and social context in understanding trauma and resilience. Designed for an interdisciplinary academic audience, it serves as a platform for advancing mental health discourse across diverse fields .
How to Get Involved
Contact:
- Lead: Philipp Kanske | philipp.kanske@tu-dresden.de
- Co-Lead: Annika Konrad | annika.konrad@tu-dresden.de
- Local Facilitator: Kerstin Le Merdy | kerstin.le_merdy1@tu-dresden.de