Several R2D2-MH consortium and cocreation members will attend the INSAR 2026 annual meeting that will take place on April 22-25 in Prague, Czech Republic. They will present project results in the form of talks and posters, and a panel session on resilience is scheduled, bringing together R2D2-MH researchers and cocreation memebrs as chair and panelists.

We will communicate more soon!

On February 28, 2026, R2D2-MH project coordinator Thomas Bourgeron (Institut Pasteur) and cocreation group member Stéf. BONNOT-BRIEY. participated in a radio broadcast dedicated to Autism, aired on French radio.

Together with the other participants and audience, they discussed the project and its objectives, cocreation and participative research, past and present scientific knowledge in the field, and reflected on lived experience of autistic people and inclusion in the society.

Highly recommended for French speakers!

In February 2026, members of the R2D2-MH consortium participated in the interdisciplinary Theory of Computing and Healthcare Workshop at the Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing, in Berkeley, California. This week-long event brought together leading researchers in theoretical computer science, healthcare, data science, and public health to explore how foundational computational approaches can address complex real-world challenges in health and wellbeing.

Highlights from R2D2-MH Speakers

Eitan Bachmat (Ben-Gurion University) was one of the chairs.

Yair Sadaka (Ben-Gurion University), gave a talk titled “Can Big Data Help Children Thrive? National Implementation of Research-Based Tools”, where he discussed applications of large-scale data methodologies to support children’s thriving and wellbeing. His talk emphasized the power of participative, data-informed approaches in research and practice for mental health and developmental diversity.

Thomas Bourgeron (Institut Pasteur) gave a talk titled “The Genetic Architecture of Autism: From Medicine to Neurodiversity”, sharing insights into how R2D2-MH’s participatory research is helping understand why individuals with similar genetic variants can have different developmental outcomes. This talk highlighted the project’s commitment to understanding risk and resilience in neurodevelopmental diversity.

To close the session, a panel discussion explored interdisciplinary approaches to neurodiversity, autism, and child development, integrating computational science with biological research and lived experience perspectives.

R2D2-MH researchers from the University of Warwick have recently released publications bringing new understanding of the concept of resilience, in particular in people born preterm.

Eager to share the key takeaways with a wider audience, the authors Prof. Dieter Wolke and Dr. Yanlin Zhou have prepared short videos explaining the work that has been done, the methodology, the key results and impact for the field of Mental Health and Neurodiversity.

The R2D2-MH consortium is proud of the successful completion of its Second Reporting Period, marking an important step forward in the project’s mission to advance understanding of resilience and next-generation solutions for mental health and neurodivergence. This phase has been characterized by significant scientific progress, strengthened co-creation and collaboration among partners, and the consolidation of results that pave the way for upcoming activities.

Following the end of the Period, the consortium worked on the Periodic Report for RP2 to the European Commission, including a technical and a financial report. The progress have been discussed with the EU Project Officer and experts evaluators in a review meeting that took place on December 2, 2025. Reviewers shared positive feedback and constrictive comments to help the consortium implement the project at best in the remaining 24 months. Overall, the review confirmed that R2D2-MH is on the right track and well positioned to deliver its expected impacts in the upcoming phases.

The consortium remains committed to pushing the boundaries of research and innovation and to contributing to improved mental health outcomes across Europe through cutting-edge, data-informed solutions.

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Twice per year, in July and December, we share with you recent progress, results, past and upcoming events and main achievements of the R2D2-MH project. Our next edition is almost finalized and will be sent soon!

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On June 10, 2025, the FAMILY project, in collaboration with the Re MEND and R2D2 MH projects, hosted an online stakeholder event titled “A Dialogue on Stigma: Research, Reality and Response.” The event aimed to explore mental-health stigma through the lenses of academic research, lived experience, and practical responses. Designed primarily for researchers but open to all, the dialogue brought together a diverse audience and created a space for meaningful exchange.

The session combined presentations from researchers working on stigma-related topics with testimonies from individuals directly affected by stigma in mental-health contexts. This dual approach helped bridge the gap between empirical evidence and personal realities, highlighting how stigma manifests in both research findings and everyday life. The event also discussed actionable strategies to address stigma, including communication approaches, policy-level change, and community-based responses.

R2D2‑MH contributed to the event with a session led by several co-creation group members Julie Segers, Cecilia Ingard and Chantel Fouche. The session focused on inclusive research practices and the importance of shifting from viewing neurodivergent individuals as passive research subjects to recognizing them as active collaborators. They introduced the R2D2-MH language guide for neurodiversity research, designed to help researchers reflect critically on the terminology used when communicating about neurodiversity, and promote communication that is both scientifically sound and respectful of neurodivergent people.

The presentations were followed by interactive group discussions that explored how language choices can reinforce or challenge stigma. The discussions concluded on the importance of co-developing terminology with people with lived experience. The involvement of R2D2-MH co-creation groups demonstrated R2D2-MH’s commitment to participatory research and to fostering respectful, empowering dialogue between researchers and neurodivergent communities (co-creation approach).

Two organizations have recently joined the R2D2-MH consortium:

• The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), is a world-renowned pediatric hospital based in Toronto, Canada. In R2D2-MH, the team of Prof. Louise Gallagher will examine genetic and environmental influences on risk and resilience in neurodiversity, including the RaDiaNT study which investigates a rare genetic condition called NRXN1 deletion.
• The University of Tartu joined R2D2-MH via the Horizon Europe Hop-On facility. In R2D2-MH, UTARTU addresses gaps in understanding risk/resilience factors for neurodevelopmental conditions (NDC) in adults. Using the Estonian Biobank, UTARTU explores genetic and non-genetic influences on NDC traits. UTARTU will also help reduce stigma via involvement of neurodiverse Estonian representatives.

R2D2-MH researchers at Karolinska Institute’s Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND) are seeking participants to join an international study that aims to explore what helps neurodivergent individuals lead successful, fulfilling lives.

The research focuses on resilience—what helps people thrive—among those with neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, learning disabilities, and those born prematurely. By gathering firsthand perspectives, the project seeks to identify the personal, social, and environmental factors that promote wellbeing and enable neurodivergent people to do the things they want and need to do.

Who Can Participate?

• Neurodivergent individuals (e.g., with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or born prematurely)

• Family members or close loved ones of neurodivergent individuals

Participants will take part in a one-on-one checklist interview with a researcher. The interview, expected to last approximately two hours, will explore resilience-related factors across three domains:

• Individual (personal traits, characteristics)

• Activity and Participation (daily life involvement, education, hobbies)

• Environmental (social, physical, and societal supports and barriers)

Participation is Voluntary and Confidential
There are no known risks associated with the study, and participation is entirely voluntary. Individuals can withdraw at any time without affecting their access to healthcare, education, or other services.

How to Register

• Click here to see the study Flyer
• Interested individuals can register their interest via this link: https://survey.ki.se/Survey/40716
• For further information, contact the research team at: melissa.black@ki.se

Exciting news! R2D2-MH has officially joined BlueSky.

BlueSky will help us engage with a broader community of stakeholders and increase outreach.

You can now follow us at @r2d2mh.bsky.social for updates and news about R2D2-MH.

Join us there and be part of the conversation! 👉 @r2d2mh.bsky.social — Bluesky

If you are interested in knowing more or participating in the study, visit the ADAPPT website or contact adappt-bms@utwente.nl.