The 2024 recipient of the Country Leadership Award for Denmark is Marie Paldam Folker.
For the past seven years, Marie has led the Centre for Digital Psychiatry as its Director, pioneering evidence-based digital mental health services that have transformed access and delivery across Denmark. Under her leadership, the Centre has expanded its reach, providing critical support to an ever-growing number of people facing mental health challenges.
Marie’s work is distinguished by her commitment to collaboration. By engaging service users, healthcare professionals, and key stakeholders, she has ensured that digital mental health services are not only effective, but also equitable and sustainable. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping policy development and creating a strong national framework for the broad adoption of digital mental health services.
One of Marie’s standout achievements is co-chairing the Danish National Task Force for Digital Psychiatry, established to strengthen governance and coordination of digital mental health across regions. The task force has become a cornerstone for national strategy and policy development—fostering collaboration, building leadership capacity, and reinforcing regional mental health systems.
Her visionary leadership has also driven fundamental shifts in Denmark’s approach to mental health care. By addressing challenges such as increasing mental health needs, an ageing population, and workforce pressures, Marie has positioned Denmark as a leader in integrating digital advancements and creating sustainable care pathways across both public and private sectors.
Among her many accomplishments are the launch of Mindhelper, Denmark’s most comprehensive youth mental health website; the national rollout of Internetpsykiatrien, a digital therapy platform for depression and anxiety; and the creation of Mindapps.dk, a national app assessment service that helps patients and clinicians choose safe, evidence-based mental health apps.
Marie Paldam Folker’s dedication, innovation, and collaborative spirit have set a new benchmark for leadership in digital mental health.
Congratulations, Marie!
