Health · Mental Health · 1 day ago
Hundreds gather in Bern for Swiss Mad Pride
Several hundred people took part in Switzerland’s fourth Mad Pride on Saturday in Bern.
They gathered in front of the Federal Palace, where the country’s parliament meets.
The event aimed to make people with mental health conditions more visible and promote their acceptance and inclusion.
Organizers say these conditions are common in Switzerland but are often hidden and linked to social stigma.
A 50-metre pink carpet invited participants to walk with dignity and pride, and there was no parade this year.
About 20 organizations had stands at the event.
The Mad Pride movement began in Canada, and Switzerland held its first event in Geneva in 2019.
Several hundred people gathered outside Switzerland’s Federal Palace in Bern for the country’s fourth Mad Pride.
The event called for visibility, acceptance and inclusion for people with mental illnesses.
Participants were invited to walk with dignity and pride across a 50-metre pink carpet in Bundesplatz.
There was no parade this year, and around 20 organisations had stands at the event.
- Who
- Several hundred people took part, with around 20 organisations represented.
- What
- The fourth Swiss Mad Pride called for visibility, acceptance and inclusion for people with mental illnesses.
- When
- Saturday, 10 October 2026.
- Where
- Outside the Federal Palace, on Bundesplatz in Bern, Switzerland.
- Why
- Organisers aimed to reduce prejudice and encourage open discussion of mental health.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
with dignity and pride
Everyday inclusion instead of stigma
Switzerland held its first Mad Pride in Geneva.
Mad Pride took place in Bern.
Mad Pride took place in Lausanne.
Several hundred people gathered in Bern for the fourth Swiss Mad Pride.
- Attendance
- Several hundred people
- Carpet
- 50 metres long and pink
- Organisations
- Around 20 had stands
- Swiss Mad Pride first held
- 2019, in Geneva
- Previous locations
- Bern in 2022; Lausanne in 2023
Sources
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