Charlotte Bjerre Meilstrup

Charlotte Bjerre Meilstrup is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Copenhagen. She leads the ABCs of Mental Health initiative—the first research-based mental health promotion program in Denmark—operating as a large intersectoral partnership with over 70 organizations across municipalities, NGOs, and regional health authorities.

Research Focus: Her work centers on public mental health promotion for children and adolescents, examining how school environments and cross-sectoral collaborations can reduce social inequality in mental health outcomes. She specializes in translating research into practice through evidence-based interventions, with expertise in implementation science and bridging academic-practitioner divides.

Publication Trends: Recent work (2024-2025) demonstrates international scaling of the ABCs model (Finland, Norway, Sweden), development of mental health behavior measurement tools, and university-focused wellbeing interventions. Key themes include digital pedagogy for wellbeing literacy, longitudinal analysis of social media impacts, and photovoice methodologies for student perspectives.

Scientific Recognition:

• Public Health Prize 2022 (Folkesundhedsprisen 2022) for the ABCs of Mental Health initiative

Grants & Leadership: Secured Novo Nordisk Foundation funding (2023) with upcoming Danish governmental support (2024-2034) through the national psychiatry/mental health plan. Directs partnerships spanning the Faroe Islands, Norway, Sweden, and Finland while advising policymakers through media engagements (TV, radio, podcasts).

Initiatives: Co-leads 'Together at Social Sciences'—an ABC-inspired program promoting student mental health at the University of Copenhagen—alongside developing bachelor-level courses in mental health promotion.