RC76 Side event: Addressing vulnerabilities across the life course through a mental health in all policies approach: launch of new evidence on adverse childhood experiences across 29 Member States
6 October 2026
What happens in childhood can shape a lifetime: launching new evidence on adverse childhood experiences in Europe
6 October 2026 | 10:00–11:30 AM | Hybrid | Copenhagen, Denmark
WHO/Europe is launching the results of its first multi-country survey on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), drawing on the experiences of more than 26 000 young adults aged 18–30 years across the 27 European Union Member States, Iceland and Norway.
What happens early in life can have implications far beyond childhood. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic experiences that occur before the age of 18, including physical, emotional and sexual abuse; physical neglect; household substance use, mental illness or incarceration; parental separation or death; and witnessing domestic violence in the household.
ACEs are widely recognized as important determinants of health and well-being across the life course. Preventing these experiences where possible, building resilience when adversity occurs, and ensuring that people affected by ACEs can access appropriate support are important to building healthier and more resilient individuals, families and communities.
At a side event of the 76th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe, WHO/Europe will present the results of this new study, conducted by the WHO Regional Office for Europe in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), under a contribution agreement with the European Commission entitled “Address Mental Health Challenges in the European Union, Iceland and Norway”.
About the event
The launch event will provide an opportunity to discuss how the new evidence can inform action across sectors, including approaches to preventing ACEs, addressing their root causes, building resilience and developing trauma-informed public services that can support people affected by childhood adversity throughout the life course.
The event will bring together representatives from WHO/Europe, the European Commission, LJMU and partners working across sectors to improve the health and well-being of children, young people, families and communities.
