City life is surfaced by many jobs and educational opportunities, but there may be violence and unforeseen accidents. Modern life is matched by increasing levels of immigration, concentration of air pollution, substance abuse and the widespread use of the internet and smartphones replacing human contact.

All these factors have now been aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic. On top of the forced immigration and the risk of new epidemics, on the social side it has seen the return of nationalism and reinforcing sexist and stigma against women, ethnic groups, and sex minorities in some countries. The increasing social disparities already existing in many countries were accentuated by the economic changes caused by the pandemic.

How can all these changes affect a population’s mental health in big cities? This WPA section will be directed to catalyse global actions in the field including coordination of research, training activities and position statements for scientific dissemination.