3rd Arts and Mental Health Festival
LaLiBay Resort & Spa, Aegina | 22–24 May 2025
Greek Carers Network EPIONI successfully hosted the 3rd Arts and Mental Health Festival on the island of Aegina, from 22 to 24 May 2025, under the auspices of the Region of Attica, the Municipality of Aegina, the Hellenic Psychiatric Association and the Greek Patients Association.
Coinciding with European Mental Health Week, the festival gathered mental health professionals, artists, carers, academics, and community members to explore how artistic expression fosters psychological resilience and social inclusion.
The sponsors were Saronic Ferries and the supermarkets KRITIKOS.
The festival took place alongside the meetings of the projects “Care the Carer”, “SharE4Elderly” and “Healthy Lifestyles for Europe.” which were co funded by the EU.
Thursday 22 May 2025
The festival opened with welcoming remarks by Elsa Dimopoulou, psychologist and representative of the Region of Attica, who reflected on the profound impact of art on self-discovery. Sofia Chatzina, Public Health Supervisor of the Municipality of Aegina, offered her support, followed by Kadri Soova, Director of Mental Health Europe, who emphasized the significance of transnational collaboration in mental health.
Maria Metaxaki, mental health counselor and doctor of musical arts, introduced the therapeutic method of receptive music therapy using Music and Imagery (MI), drawing on her work with the Greek National Opera. Her session offered attendees an immersive experience into how sound and imagination can access deep emotional states.
This was followed by Panagiota Liaramantza, a nutritionist and dance therapist, who led the interactive workshop “Emotions in Motion.” Participants engaged in body-centered movement designed to awaken inner awareness and release emotional tension through dance.
Later in the afternoon, Barbara Kondilis, mental health counselor and educator, conducted a hybrid workshop on street art and mindfulness. Through guided graffiti and reflection, she connected artistic freedom to grounding and mental presence.
Friday 23 May 2025
The second day began with greetings from EPIONI’s Fokion Dimitriadis, followed by the vice mayor of Sports of Aegina Mr Vasilios Zampelis.
Veronika Všetíčková, Head of EU Affairs at ELPA (European Liver Patients’ Association), also addressed the audience, highlighting the importance of integrating liver health advocacy into broader mental health efforts
Alina Chebes, policy advisor from EuropeActive, presented the project Healthy Lifestyles for Europe (HL4EU), advocating cross-sectoral partnerships to promote physical activity and mental wellness. Iulia Halangescu from the European Network for Holistic Integration introduced the project Care the Carer, which focuses on empowering family caregivers and raising awareness to combat stigma.
Representatives from the Medical University of Łódź, including Professor Anna Lipert and project manager Anna Krzyżańska-Chybowska, shared examples of best practices in public health interventions, preventive medicine, and pedagogical strategies to support mental and physical wellbeing.
Dr. Angeliki Tsapanou, clinical neuropsychologist and associate professor at the University of Patras, explored psychosocial interventions in dementia care, emphasizing how art facilitates memory retrieval and emotional connectivity for patients.
In a more symbolic presentation, Dimitra Stefanopoulou of EUFAMI analyzed the artwork of Edvard Munch to illustrate the links between emotional suffering and artistic legacy. Nina Sønderberg, psychotherapist and co-founder of Nordic Wellbeing Academy, followed with a presentation on guided creativity for self-love and therapeutic co-creation in emotion-focused therapy.
Later, Maria Eliades and Anna Bechraki from PEPSAEE described the first year of operation at the “En-Techni Psyhi” Day Centre, showcasing the restorative function of art in structured psychosocial rehabilitation. Their presentation was followed by Filippa Drivala and Myrto Ntova, who presented the work of the Heliotropio Day Centre in Athens and its collaborative ceramic therapy projects, including contributions from potter Vasileios Goumas and sculptor Evangelos Karkanis.
In parallel, the psychologist Dimitris Begioglou conducted a powerful Playback Theatre workshop, transforming personal stories into collective theatrical expression through improvisation. Participants also joined the PEPSAEE Theatre Group for a physical theatre workshop titled “Meet Me on Stage,” designed to bridge individual self-expression and group cohesion.
An art therapy session titled “The Paintings Change” was led by Despina Papaioannou and Aggeliki Tsiaxiri from the Society for Social Psychiatry P. Sakelaropoulos, inviting participants to explore transformation through imagery.
Georgia Achilleopoulou, a vocal coach and PhD candidate, then guided an experiential session on breathing and physiovocal integration, helping participants connect voice, breath, and emotional release.
The day closed with a sunset concert performed by the Estoudiantina of Aegina, conducted by Alexandros Spitzing. This multisensory experience blended traditional melodies and community connection, leaving attendees with a sense of harmony and renewal.
Saturday 24 May 2025
Saturday’s sessions began with opening messages from Mrs Kadri Soova from Mental Health Europe, Mr Lars Munter from the Nordic Wellbeing Academy, Dr. Valter Fonseca of WHO office in Greece, and Fokion Dimitriadis of EPIONI, affirming a shared commitment to dignity and equity in mental health policy.
Psychologist Eftychia Nikolopoulou and social worker Eleni Alexandridi presented the work of the Thalpos Mental Health Day Centre and the integration of arts therapies in structured clinical settings. This was followed by Panagiota Mylona, nurse at Alzheimer Athens, who explored how painting and music evoke memories and connection in people with dementia.
Maria Papagianni and Eirini Vamvakari, representing the same organization, discussed psychosocial interventions through theatrical expression, aimed at individuals with dementia and their caregivers.
Aphroditi Pantagoutsou and Nancy Antoniadou delivered a joint presentation on the current landscape of art psychotherapy and facilitated an interactive art session titled “Paint Your Name,” helping participants engage with self-perception through visual media.
Christiana Adamopoulou, Konstantina Kostastari, and Eleni Tsolka then led a group music therapy workshop using voice, rhythm, and RoMI methods, followed by a musical interlude featuring Manolis Skoulas and Eleni Papaki performing Greek and international ballads.
In the afternoon, photojournalist Mrs Maro Kouri facilitated a powerful photography workshop called “The Healing Click of the Heart,” inspiring participants to remain present through the lens of artistic vision.
Dr. Konstantina Kontopoulou presented her personal photo exhibition, Dementia Diaries, offering a poignant visual narrative that intertwines her experience as an informal caregiver with broader themes of memory, identity, and emotional connection.
The theme of education and global health continued with Theodora Kokkinou and Professor Evanthia Sakellari, who presented the eMAMA project—an EU initiative aimed at developing postgraduate training on maternal mental health in sub-Saharan Africa.
Next, Nadia Kavoulakou and Ermioni Dova introduced the therapeutic clowning method “Angel Clown,” which they elaborated upon both in a lecture and a hands-on workshop. They demonstrated how clowning techniques can build emotional bridges and resilience in vulnerable populations.
In a deeply moving moment of the day, psychotherapist Dionysia Giannopoulou presented her autobiographical book “Blooming: A Psychotherapist’s Journey from Cancer to Healing”, recounting her personal path through illness, vulnerability, and recovery, where art played a central role in her transformation.
The festival concluded with an evocative talk by psychiatrist and dramatherapist Stelios Krasanakis on cultural representations of inclusion, urging communities to embrace diversity through the arts.
Participation Form for the 3rd Art and Mental Health Festival 22–24 May 2025