The Forum on Women’s Brain and Mental Health was held on 8 and 9 June 2019 at the University of Zurich, Switzerland.

EFNA President, Joke Jaarsma, attended the Forum, participating in a panel session on migraine. Joke presented results of the Value of Treatment study in migraine. Elena Ruiz de la Torre, Executive Director of EFNA member organisation the European Migraine and Headache Alliance (EMHA), presented her journey as a migraine patient, whilst researchers Patricia Pozo Rosich and Maria Teresa Ferretti gave presentations on gender bias, explaining how that the prevalence of migraine is much higher  in women but barely recognised or understood.

This flagship event is organised by the Women’s Brain Project (WBP). The Forum is more than just a conventional scientific meeting. The main goal is to bring together experts and representatives from a wide range of scientific disciplines and various fields of practice contributing to the study and improvement of mental and brain health. Moreover, the inclusion of patients, caregivers and other individuals impacted by brain and mental health issues in their daily life keeps the ongoing debate relevant and focused. By actively involving medical professionals, technology experts, life and social scientists, industry, policy makers, researchers, caregivers, and patients, WBP strives to facilitate an open and transdisciplinary collaboration. In this way, all stakeholders have an equal voice in the constructive and actionable discussions on considering the influence of sex and gender in brain and mental health research.