At EUcalls, we are proud to showcase organizations that create meaningful social impact and contribute to building stronger, more inclusive communities across Europe.
In this edition of our EUcalls Premium Partner Interview Series, we spoke with the Multipurpose Mental Health Nursing Unit of Thessaloniki, a leading public healthcare institution in Northern Greece that has played a key role in the country’s psychiatric reform and continues to drive innovation in mental health services, education, and social reintegration.
Leading Mental Healthcare Transformation in Northern Greece
Can you briefly introduce your organization?
The Multipurpose Mental Health Nursing Unit of Thessaloniki, formerly known as the Psychiatric Hospital of Thessaloniki, operates under the 3rd Regional Health Authority of Macedonia.
Based in Stavroupoli, Thessaloniki, the Unit provides comprehensive psychiatric care, psychosocial rehabilitation, outpatient services, community-based support structures, mobile mental health units for children and adolescents, and specialized memory disorder clinics.
Today, it serves as a major regional hub for mental health services throughout Central Macedonia.
From Institutional Care to Community Psychiatry
What inspired the creation of your organization?
The Unit’s evolution has been closely linked to Greece’s Psychiatric Reform, which transformed mental healthcare from an institutional model to a community-centered approach.
This shift was driven by the need to reduce stigma surrounding mental illness, promote social inclusion, and ensure that individuals living with mental health conditions have access to quality care, rehabilitation opportunities, and a better quality of life.
Expertise Across Mental Health, Rehabilitation, and Education
What are your main areas of expertise?
The organization has developed extensive expertise in several key areas:
- Psychiatric Rehabilitation and De-institutionalization
- Community Mental Healthcare
- Specialized Clinical Services
- Memory Disorders and Dementia Care
- Resistant Depression Treatment
- Vocational Rehabilitation and Reintegration
- Professional Healthcare Training and Education
A significant part of its work focuses on continuous education through clinical training programs, academic collaborations, and lifelong learning initiatives supported by European funding programs.
Creating Lasting Social Impact
What impact does your organization aim to create?
The Unit aims to contribute to a fundamental transformation of mental healthcare in Northern Greece.
Its objectives include:
- Expanding community-based mental health services
- Reducing reliance on long-term institutional care
- Protecting patients’ rights
- Promoting social inclusion
- Treating mental health with the same priority as physical health
Through these efforts, the organization seeks to build a society where mental wellbeing is recognized as a core component of public health.
Strong Experience in European Projects
Can you share some of your most important EU-funded projects?
The organization has participated in European initiatives for several decades, building significant expertise in international collaboration.
Notable projects include:
Interreg – Equal2Health
Focused on reducing health inequalities in cross-border regions.
Erasmus+
Training initiatives exploring innovative therapeutic approaches, including the use of music in addiction treatment.
EUNOMIA
A European research project dedicated to ethical standards in psychiatric care.
Horizon & Leonardo da Vinci
Projects addressing vocational training, digital skills development, mobility, and social inclusion.
These initiatives have contributed significantly to the modernization of mental healthcare services and professional training.
A Milestone in Psychiatric Reform
What achievement are you particularly proud of?
The organization identifies its leading role in Psychiatric Reform in Northern Greece as its most significant achievement.
Key accomplishments include:
- Successfully transitioning long-term patients into community-based housing and support structures
- Expanding specialized services through Mobile Units and Memory Clinics
- Reducing barriers to care for remote and vulnerable populations
- Promoting social inclusion through vocational training programs
- Implementing innovative treatment protocols supported by European funding
These achievements have helped position the Unit as a reference point for psychiatric excellence within the Greek National Health System.
Looking Ahead: Innovation and Digital Transformation
What types of projects are you interested in participating in?
The Unit is actively seeking collaborations in areas such as:
- Digital Health Transformation
- Remote Patient Monitoring
- Electronic Health Records
- Green Healthcare Infrastructure
- Energy-Efficient Healthcare Facilities
- Innovative Rehabilitation Models
- Arts-Based and Technology-Driven Therapies
These priorities align with broader European goals related to healthcare modernization and sustainability.
What Makes an Ideal EU Project Partner?
What are you looking for in potential project partners?
The organization values partners that demonstrate:
- Strong administrative capacity
- Experience with European funding frameworks
- Innovation in public health and mental healthcare
- Transparency and accountability
- Commitment to community-centered approaches
The Unit seeks collaborations that combine technical expertise with a shared commitment to improving healthcare outcomes.
Why EUcalls?
What motivated you to use EUcalls?
According to the Unit, EUcalls provides valuable opportunities to expand European networks and identify specialized partners capable of strengthening project proposals and consortium development.
For public healthcare organizations navigating increasingly complex funding opportunities, access to reliable networking and partner-matching tools is essential.
A Regional Leader in Mental Health
Today, the Multipurpose Mental Health Nursing Unit of Thessaloniki employs more than 1,000 professionals, including medical, paramedical, nursing, and support staff.
Its role extends far beyond clinical services, acting as a regional reference center and contributing directly to the implementation of national mental health policies.
Supporting Public Healthcare Through European Collaboration
How satisfied are you with EUcalls?
The organization highlights EUcalls as a valuable platform that increases visibility for its strategic objectives while helping connect clinical expertise with European funding opportunities.
Would you recommend EUcalls to other organizations?
Absolutely.
The Unit particularly recommends EUcalls to other public healthcare organizations and National Health System entities seeking to navigate the complexity of European funding programs, develop international partnerships, and strengthen the sustainability of healthcare services.
Connect with the Multipurpose Mental Health Nursing Unit of Thessaloniki
Location: Stavroupoli, Thessaloniki, Greece
Areas of Expertise:
- Mental Health Care
- Psychiatric Rehabilitation
- Community Psychiatry
- Healthcare Innovation
- Healthcare Education & Training
- EU Project Participation
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