Global Perspectives Gathered in Aalborg

Status After One Year of Best for Us
Program Director Jan Mainz and Project Manager Anna Sofie Kjærgaard Hansen presented the latest progress in the project. Over the past year, collaboration across regions, municipalities, and professional groups has been strengthened, and the first concrete experiences with testing new treatment and collaboration models are in progress. An example of this is a pilot test of a new collaboration model between general practitioners and psychiatry which is currently being conducted in the North Denmark Region.

Challenges Across Systems
A central discussion focused on the barriers that creates challenges in creating coherent pathways for children and young people: different IT systems, inconsistent legislation, and varying cultures in the health and education sectors.
Professor Søren Paaske Johnsen provided insight into these challenges—and invited the board to contribute experiences from other countries. The discussion particularly emphasized the importance of being aware of how contemporary political and cultural currents influence the project—both at a strategic level, in practical implementation, and in the evaluation of the project.

Digital Toolbox for Families
Another key theme was the development of The Family’s Digital Toolbox, which gathers knowledge, materials, and tools for children, young people, siblings, and parents dealing with mental health challenges. The platform aims to provide families with easier access to information and strengthen collaboration between professionals and families.
Professor Birthe Dinesen and Research Assistant Katja Møller Jensen presented plans for how the platform is being developed in close collaboration with young people, parents, and professionals. The board discussed methods for evaluating whether the platform truly creates value for its users.

Research with a Global Outlook
The discussions clearly demonstrated the value of an International Advisory Board: with input from countries such as the UK, Norway, the Netherlands, and Germany, ideas were shared on how we can learn from others’ models for implementation and digital innovation.
In addition to the Advisory Board meeting, several board members used their visit to Aalborg to meet with researchers from the various work packages. In this way, the board members are involved not only in joint discussions but also precisely where their professional expertise can be particularly valuable.

Tour of a Hospital for the Future
After engaging discussions across the project, the day culminated in a tour of the new psychiatric facility in The Hospital City in Aalborg, which is set to open in 2026.
Vivian Grauting ensured that the international experts got a first-hand impression of the future setting for both adult and child and adolescent psychiatry: bright communal areas, safe treatment rooms, and outdoor spaces designed to promote both calm and activity.
The construction is one of the country’s largest hospital projects and demonstrates how architecture can actively contribute to well-being and treatment.

Thank You for Input and Inspiration
The meeting clearly showed the strength of gathering perspectives from around the world on a shared challenge. With support and sparring from our International Advisory Board, we are even better equipped to make Best for Us a success in practice.