BETTER MIND, BETTER BRNO 2025

Better Mind builds on the original Better Mind Better City initiative, which was created under the umbrella of the SATI project. From the very beginning, its goal was clear: to create a safe space for open conversations about mental health.

Over time, the initiative naturally evolved into a broader platform connecting experts, volunteers, students, and the wider public. Thanks to this evolution, mental well-being has become more accessible and a more natural part of everyday life. The Better Mind conference is therefore not only a source of information, but also a place where people share personal experiences, reflect, and seek mutual support.

The Second Edition: A Natural Transformation

While the first edition in Prague leaned more toward theory, the second edition marked a clear shift. The move to Brno was not just an organizational decision. Brno is home to a strong academic community with a long-term interest in well-being and mental health.

Here, Better Mind gained a more practical and tangible form. The focus moved toward everyday habits and simple practices that participants could start using immediately—without complex frameworks or unrealistic expectations.

The theme of psychological safety ran naturally throughout the entire day. NEWTON University has been strengthening this concept for years—not only in its teaching, but also in its overall institutional culture.

In recent years, this focus was further reinforced by a visit from Amy Edmondson, a globally recognized authority on leadership, teamwork, and psychological safety.

Better Mind offered a space where participants could truly be themselves—where questions were just as important as answers.

“It’s okay to share. It’s okay to ask for help. And it’s normal not to feel okay all the time,”
says Sandra Keyzlarová.

This message echoed throughout the program in many different forms and became a natural expression of the day’s atmosphere. Many participants noted that openness and safety are exactly what they often miss in their everyday professional lives.

A Program Built on Connection and Practice

The program was structured clearly and accessibly. After the opening words from NEWTON University, the audience heard a greeting from the founder of the SATI initiative, joining remotely from Thailand. His message reminded everyone that Better Mind has international roots and was created to make mental health topics accessible to the widest possible community.

This was followed by a personal introduction to the story of SATI by Ondřej Nádvorník, who guided the audience through the origins of the project and its development within the Czech context.

Sandra Keyzlarová then focused on working with mindset and self-perception, highlighting how our inner dialogue shapes everyday experience. She was followed by Michaela Lánová, who explored the relationship between food, energy, and overall balance.

The final expert contribution came from Bohuslav Jakubec, who addressed the influence of our surroundings—and how subtle environmental elements can significantly affect focus and mental well-being.

The day culminated in a panel discussion where these perspectives naturally connected into an open conversation about everyday situations that influence mental health. It became clear that a healthy mind touches every part of life: how we think about ourselves, how we make decisions, and how we shape our environments at home, at school, and at work.

Better Mind, Better Life

“Better mind, better life” was the phrase that best captured the feedback from participants. Attendees most often highlighted the practical nature of the talks and the approachable style of the speakers. Many also described feelings of relief, understanding, and inspiration.

The conference showed that mental well-being is not a distant ideal. It is a set of small, simple steps that can have a meaningful impact:

  • a short pause,

  • conscious breathing,

  • a healthier relationship with food,

  • one clean wall free of visual noise.

Better Mind as a Long-Term Commitment

The organizers emphasize that Better Mind is not a one-off event. It is a long-term commitment that will gradually extend into education, mentoring programs, and student-led initiatives.

The ambition is clear: to create an environment where care for mental health is not a “benefit,” but a natural and integral part of studying, working, and living.