Professor Roberto Mezzini

Professor Roberto Mezzini is a renowned psychiatrist and one of the founding members of the International Mental Health Collaborating Network, which was established in 2001. He currently serves as the Chair of the Network and holds the position of Regional Vice President for the European Region at the World Federation for Mental Health. With his pioneering work in Trieste, Italy, since 1978, Professor Mezzini played a crucial role in the development of the Italian Mental Health Reform Law, which led to the closure of psychiatric hospitals and the creation of a community-based network of mental health services. This model has been recognised globally and endorsed by the World Health Organization (2001, 2005, 2021, 2022).

From 1995 until his retirement in 2019, Professor Mezzini held significant leadership roles at the Trieste Department of Mental Health, including Director of a CMH Centre and later, the entire Department. Additionally, he was the head of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training from 2009. His influence has extended internationally, advising on mental health reforms and supporting the development of community-based services such as crisis care, recovery services, peer support, and forensic services. He has contributed to policy development in numerous countries, including Slovenia, Poland, Serbia, France, the UK, and beyond. A sought-after speaker, he has delivered keynote addresses at global conferences and has been recognised for his efforts in mental health, receiving the Zero Project Prize at the UN in Vienna (2014) and the European Personality of the Year Award from Gamian Europe (2017). Professor Mezzini also served as an advisor to the WHO and coordinated sessions at the Global Mental Health Forum in Rome (2022).

Currently, he is a member of the Advisory Board for the 24/7 Community Mental Health Pilot Programme at NHS England and provides consultancy at South London and Maudsley Foundation Trust.