X.1 PechaKucha: From expression to empowerment for health: participatory methods in vulnerable conditions

Abstract Health and well-being are understood as multidimensional, shaped by social, cultural, and emotional factors as well as healthcare services. In contexts marked by vulnerability, marginalisation, or structural exclusion, populations such as people in prison (PIP), refugees, and youth in under-resourced settings often face overlapping barriers to health equity and remain underrepresented in the design of health interventions. In this context, participatory methods that incorporate creative expression - such as storytelling, active techniques, photography, and collective future thinking - offer tools to engage individuals in articulating their experiences of distress, resilience, and well-being. These methods encourage individuals to express themselves, their needs and their experiences, which are essential to culturally sensitive, contextually relevant and responsive interventions for structurally marginalised populations. This workshop explores how these methods contribute to health, well-being and inclusion in diverse vulnerable settings. The objective is to share experiences, reflect on methodological and ethical considerations, and to discuss the potential of these approaches. The added value of this workshop lies in its focus on tools that facilitate the interpretation of participants’ own realities and inner worlds. These methodologies improve psychological well-being and support socio-emotional learning. They also uncover experiences of groups often excluded from standardised health interventions, enriching the understanding of health needs and broadening the scope of public health. The workshop presents four case studies applying participatory methodologies in contexts of structural vulnerability. The first explores the use of psychodrama with adolescents and young adults in Beira, Mozambique, through a project by Doctors with Africa-CUAMM. This approach uses collective enactment to foster emotional expression, build resilience, and strengthen group dynamics. The second draws on the Erasmus+ funded PARTNER project, which applies participatory futures thinking in prison settings. Through co-creative laboratories, PIP reimagine life trajectories and reflect critically on time, agency, and care. The third focuses on a photography project implemented by RedLab with adolescent refugees in Iraqi Kurdistan. The workshops facilitated self-narration and group dialogue, promoting emotional awareness and community connection. The fourth discusses participatory methods used in a project with Roma women in Greece to promote cervical and breast cancer screening and HPV vaccination, alongside health education. The session will conclude with a reflective exercise, inviting participants to respond to a shared prompt on applying expressive methods in their own contexts. This exchange will surface common challenges, tensions, and enablers, and support the co-development of insights for integrating participatory approaches into public health strategies. Key messages • Participatory methods amplify voices often excluded from public health and foster culturally responsive, equity-oriented interventions. • Creative expression strengthens mental well-being, collective reflection, and community-driven solutions in vulnerable contexts.