Yellow September 2026 puts loneliness in the spotlight. The Center for Social & Health Innovation and the Department of Social, Health & Public Management at MCI | The Entrepreneurial School® are using the campaign month as an opportunity to highlight the many ways in which mental and psychosocial health are already embedded in research, teaching, continuing education, counselling and social engagement.
From 10 September, World Suicide Prevention Day, to 10 October, World Mental Health Day, Yellow September raises awareness of psychosocial health, care and destigmatisation throughout Austria. In 2026, the focus is on loneliness, under the shared claim: “Together we can do more!”
This philosophy is also reflected in many areas at MCI. Mental health is approached from a range of scientific, social and practical perspectives – through research projects, teaching, concrete support services, collaborations and continuing education.
The Center for Social & Health Innovation (CSHI) is a multidisciplinary research centre at MCI and serves as an interface between science, practice and public governance. Its work focuses on current challenges in the social, health and public sectors. A particular priority is not only to generate scientific knowledge, but also to translate it into socially relevant decision-making and development processes. Across numerous research and transfer projects, the focus therefore extends beyond scientific findings to the question of how research can contribute to tangible improvements for individuals and society.
One example of their research projects is PeerCom – Peer Companions, a participatory collaborative project between the CSHI and TIPSI – Tyrolean Association for Psychosocial Inclusion. TIPSI provides the peer support service: experienced mental health peers accompany people experiencing psychosocial challenges in individual one-to-one settings, drawing on their own lived experience as a valuable resource for orientation, support and empowerment. The CSHI is responsible for the scientific impact evaluation and accompanying research. Participation is central to the project: the perspectives and experiences of peers and other stakeholders are actively incorporated into the research process and contribute to the practice-oriented further development of the service.
Mental health was also the focus of this year’s MCI Philosophicum, which has been an integral part of the Bachelor’s degree programme in Social, Health & Public Management since 2012. Using an interactive fishbowl format, it brings students into dialogue with experts from different areas of society and creates space to discuss current challenges from a variety of perspectives.
Under the title “Loneliness as the Silent Pandemic of the 21st Century”, experts discussed the psychological, health-related, social, media-related and political dimensions of loneliness. One thing became clear: loneliness is not solely an individual experience. It is also closely linked to social participation, age, poverty and digital developments. This makes social relationships, empathy, listening, a sense of belonging and spaces where people can connect all the more important.
A recent initiative for World Heat Day also demonstrated how research, awareness-raising and practical support can work together. In cooperation with start pro mente, MCI departments – the Center for Social & Health Innovation and the Center for Responsible Management & Social Impact – developed an accessible information fan for Heat Action Day. It draws attention to the effects of heat on mental health and provides practical guidance for everyday life. The öh mci also supported the initiative.
Mental health is also directly integrated into teaching. Students in the Bachelor’s degree programmes Social, Health & Public Management and Business Administration & Business Psychology, for example, complete the “First Aid for the Soul” course offered by pro mente tirol. They learn to recognise signs of psychological distress at an early stage, respond appropriately and support people in crisis situations in finding the help they need.
For many years, students in the SGPM degree program have also worked with practice partners on pressing mental health issues as part of their practical semester. They are supported throughout by the entire program team:
In addition, a range of MCI study and continuing education programmes address people and their well-being at the intersections of psychology, health, social affairs, management and leadership – each from different disciplinary perspectives.
These include Business Psychology & Management, Business Administration & Business Psychology, Social, Health & Public Management, Social Work, Medical, Health & Sports Technology, Social Work, Social Policy & Management, International Health & Social Management, as well as the certificate programme Management, Psychology & Leadership.
At MCI, mental health is not only a topic of research and teaching. Students also have access to concrete and confidential support services through MCI Student Support.
The services available include information and resources on mental health and self-care, personal counselling both on campus and online, and links to further external support services. Loneliness and social isolation are also explicitly addressed as potential challenges in everyday student life.
The message behind these services is simple but important: seeking support is an act of self-care – and no one has to face difficult situations alone.
A special CSHI project also illustrates how closely mental health, social participation and connection are intertwined. Together with the employment initiative of the Psychosocial Care Service Tyrol, a large-scale participatory artwork by the name of “GEMEINSAM KANN’S LEUCHTEN” (“Together, there’s Light”) was created that artistically explores themes including mental health, community, health, research, inclusion and participation.
The artists developed their ideas together, making visible what connection and cohesion can mean. Hands symbolise connectedness, while the different motifs represent diversity and community – all linked by the central idea of being part of a greater whole.
This autumn, the project will enter another public space: the artwork will be exhibited as part of this year’s WECHSELSPIEL – FESTIVAL inklusive THEATER by spectACT (Association for Political and Social Theatre), bringing the connections between science, art, inclusion and social participation to a wider audience.
At MCI, we are also using Yellow September to send a visible message against loneliness and for greater connection: As part of a pilot initiative at the Department of Social, Health & Public Management, team members have crocheted yellow sunflowers by hand. On 6 October 2026, they will be given to staff members during a coffee get-together as a small gesture of connection and will then brighten up the offices. Each flower comes with a small note carrying a short message, such as “Maybe someone needs exactly your hello today” or “Sometimes connection begins with a small gesture.”
The sunflower represents both Yellow September and a symbol for non-visible disabilities. Because sometimes connection begins with something very small – a conversation, an invitation, a listening ear or an honest “How are you?”. The initiative is intended to remind us to be attentive to one another – within our team as well as in our interactions with students – and to look out, listen and notice when someone may need a conversation, support or simply a small gesture of connection.
Yellow September provides an opportunity to talk about mental health and loneliness. At the same time, a look at research, teaching, support services and social initiatives at MCI shows that mental health is a topic that concerns us throughout the year.
Generating scientific knowledge, raising awareness among future professionals and leaders, providing concrete support, developing innovative approaches together with partners and promoting social participation – all of these contribute to strengthening mental health.
Especially when it comes to loneliness, connection can begin with small steps. And together we can do more.
MCI Philosophicum 2026 on the topic “Loneliness as the Silent Pandemic of the 21st Century”
Fan distribution campaign for Heat Action Day 2026 at MCI
Artwork by the artists of the “Art, Culture, Nature” group of the employment initiative of the Psychosocial Care Service Tyrol in cooperation with the CSHI
Banner adapted from the Icelandic project "Gulur September" (with kind permission), ribbon created by the GÖG team with AI support (Copilot)
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