*Subtitles: Choose “Subtitles/CC” in the “Settings” (gear icon) at the bottom right of the YouTube video.
*Subtitles may not show with multiple languages or overlapping audio.

As life expectancy rises, maintaining cognitive and mental health becomes a growing personal, family, and societal challenge.

Cognitive decline, chronic stress, and attention-related issues already affect a significant portion of the population all over the world, and the cost is high, both emotionally and economically.

Mental health is no longer just about illness and therapy. It’s about building daily resilience, fostering cognitive vitality, and enhancing interpersonal skills through continuous, proactive support.

The 2025 World Expo is the perfect venue to explore how innovative tools – including biofeedback, neurofeedback, virtual reality, and their integration – are being integrated into everyday life to support mental health at work and beyond. These solutions draw on both cutting-edge science and thousands of years of traditional practices.

【Reflection】

The session “Empowered Minds: New Challenges in Mental Health in the 21st Century”, co-organised by Hungary during Expo 2025, offered a deeply human and cross-cultural exploration of mental health in contemporary society. Professor Yoshinori Cho, Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (Japan), and Associate Professor Ágnes Jenei from the National University of Public Service (Hungary) engaged in a thoughtful dialogue that underscored both national and global dimensions of mental wellbeing.

Professor Cho addressed the shifting landscape of mental health in Japan, drawing attention to the impact of rapid social and demographic changes, particularly in an ageing society. He emphasised the growing mental health needs of younger populations in digitalised environments, as well as the long-standing stigma surrounding mental illness. His call for a transition from institutionalised models to more community-based, inclusive care was both urgent and forward-looking.

Associate Professor Jenei brought a personal and comparative lens, highlighting the challenges and cultural barriers faced in Hungary, particularly in reaching young people and addressing suicide prevention. Her remarks revealed a growing recognition of the importance of emotional openness in public discourse on mental health.

Together, both speakers stressed the need for “empowerment” in mental health – not only for those seeking care, but for families, educators, and communities. Empowerment was framed as the ability to speak openly, access resources without shame, and build systems where mental wellness is a shared responsibility. The panel highlighted that while local contexts differ, the core human concerns – loneliness, social pressure, identity, intergenerational trauma – are shared globally.

This programme stood out for its sincerity and balance between professional insight and human storytelling. It offered a hopeful, honest space that reflected Expo 2025’s broader vision: a future society grounded in care, connection, and co-creation. In doing so, it invited all participants to reflect not only on policy or systems, but on the emotional fabric of community life.

【Post EXPO Initiatives】

As a direct outcome of this session, both Japanese and Hungarian representatives expressed strong interest in strengthening collaborative mental health initiatives that continue beyond Expo 2025. The programme provided fertile ground for potential bilateral exchanges in training, policy design, and culturally-sensitive public engagement.

On the Japanese side, there is interest in incorporating Hungarian approaches to youth empowerment and community-based suicide prevention, particularly by involving universities and civil society in early intervention strategies. Professor Cho highlighted that Japan is moving toward less institutionalised care models, and such a shift would benefit from knowledge-sharing with European frameworks.

Hungary, in turn, seeks to develop emotionally supportive communication strategies that destigmatise mental health. Professor Jenei proposed further collaboration with Japanese experts to co-develop public awareness campaigns that are rooted in empathy and cultural nuance. Her presence at Expo 2025 has already sparked institutional discussions within her department regarding incorporating Japanese mental health case studies into academic curricula.

Both countries also noted the importance of involving younger generations in future mental health dialogue through digital storytelling, youth-led seminars, and cross-cultural exchange. There was an informal proposal to initiate a “Youth Voices in Mental Health” virtual symposium co-hosted by institutions from Japan and Hungary in 2026, allowing students to share experiences, research, and policy ideas.

In summary, this programme planted the seeds for a longer-term partnership focused on empowering people, dismantling stigma, and building resilient mental health ecosystems that transcend national boundaries. The dialogue initiated at Expo 2025 serves as a valuable catalyst for the formation of sustained, empathetic international cooperation.