Decoding Depression - Interview with JRC the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre

The interview with JRC the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre introduces its recent study and initiative on “Decoding Depression”, which recognizes depression as a complex, multifactorial disorder influenced by environome-driven condidions, and promotes transdisciplinary collaboration among scientists, policymakers, practitioners, and communities.

In relation to the role of Somatic Disciplines, Feldenkrais Method is highlighted as a somatic practice that supports:

Body awareness and neuroplasticity
Stress regulation and anxiety reduction
Healthier brain–body patterns

It is seen as a preventive and supportive tool, complementing clinical treatments; and as a relevant practice for policy frameworks because it bridges science, lived experience, and accessibility.

The interview also talks about the Research Challenges which include:

Difficulty in standardizing somatic interventions due to environmental context dependency
Need for mixed-methods evidence (quantitative, qualitative, real-world data, lived experience)
Importance of longitudinal studies and participatory approaches

Finally, it encourages participation from the Feldenkrais community and broader networks ito the last Survey on Decoding Depression, recently launched to collect data on how people access and evaluate information about depression, with the main aim to integrate lived experience and practitioner input into policy design.

Speaker: Sandra Coecke, Team Leader of Emerging Health Threats and the One Health Approach

Joint Research Centre, Digital Health (F7).

She is a Belgian biotechnology engineer with a PhD in Medicine & Pharmacy. She dedicates her career to science for policy, innovation, diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a special focus on emerging health threats and resilience through a One Health framework.