Together for Mental Health

2026-06-23

MCI and start pro mente's awareness campaign for Heat Action Day

High temperatures don’t just take a toll on the body – they also affect sleep, concentration, and mood. To raise awareness of this issue and provide simple tips, the Center for Social and Health Innovation (CSHI), the Student & Career Center, and the Center for Responsible Management & Social Impact at MCI have teamed up with start pro mente gemGmbH to develop a handy information fan. The öh mci also joined as a partner and supported the campaign.

The distribution campaign took place in front of MCI on June 9 to mark World Heat Day – postponed by one week due to weather conditions. Representatives from start pro mente and CSHI handed out the fans to passersby suffering from the heat. The response was overwhelmingly positive: Many people expressed their gratitude for the initiative and appreciated the practical design for everyday use.

Here’s what’s on the fan

Front – Effects of heat on mental health

Heat disrupts sleep
Heat increases stress and anxiety
Heat reduces concentration
Heat exacerbates physical symptoms
Heat increases the risk of crises

Back side – What helps during a heatwave? Stay resilient for yourself and others

Find a cool place every day
Drink water regularly
Study in the morning or evening
Sleep in the coolest room
Plan more breaks
Talk to others and see a doctor if needed

The goal of this collaboration is not only to examine the topic from a scientific perspective but also to work with a psychosocial service provider to create a low-threshold program that offers concrete support to people – especially during periods of extreme heat. People with mental health conditions are among the most vulnerable groups: they are disproportionately affected by the psychological consequences of heat.

This is precisely where the ongoing CSHI research project PeerCom comes in: In collaboration with TIPSI and Licht ins Dunkel, people with moderate to severe psychosocial challenges are supported and empowered in their daily lives by experienced mental health peers – an approach that is particularly relevant during stressful times such as heat waves. More information about the research project is available here.

Call to action

If you or someone else is not feeling well, talk to someone you trust or reach out for help:

Telephone helpline: 142 (24/7, free of charge)
Rat auf Draht (for those under 18): 147
Telephone health counselling: 1450
In acute emergencies: 112/144

For more information and heat-related tips, visit the website of the State of Tyrol or the website of the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care, and Consumer Protection.