The WHO and the European Commission have called for an integrated database of information on delivery and implementation of mental health evidence-based activities in Europe. DataPrev is a result of this call and it aims to identify and document such activities. On 14-15 february 2011, DataPrev organised a meeting to exchange on the recent developments in the field of mental health promotion and disorder prevention.
DataPrev aims to identify and document evidence-based programmes that promote mental health and prevent mental and behavioral disorders. It intends to gather information on programmes currently implemented in the countries of Europe, information about their evidence and effectiveness, and about best practice programmes. Opportunities were to be discussed to link this database with national initiatives to enhance the dissemination and
implementation of evidence-based programmes.
The implementation settings chosen to identify programmes include:
– Home-based and family-based programmes for infants and toddlers.
– School-based programmes for children and adolescents.
– Work-based programmes for adults.
– Home and community-based programmes for elder populations.
The European debate was opened by Prof. Clemens Hosman (Universities of Nijmegen and Maastricht, the Netherlands), and Prof. Kristian Wahlbeck (WHO Regional Office for Europe). Following this, a panel of experts discussed the issue of “Why is mental health and well-being so important?”.
The debate was followed by a presentation on key DataPrev findings with implications for policy and practice and the ‘best buys’ in the areas of parenting, schools, work places and older age.
The presentations were mainly to set up a background and further understanding of the mentioned areas, and to prepare participants to get engaged in the five workshops, with each session presenting and discussing the science base and examples of implemented practice:
– Parenting and mental health
– Promoting mental health and preventing mental health problems through schools
– Mental health and the workplace
– Improving mental health of older people
– Investing in mental health and well-being
Second day of the conference saw the Hungarian Presidency of the European Union Council support for the Mental Health Pact (however, mainly in the area of neurobiology, brain and behavioural disorders), and the day was closed with session devoted to “creative thinking” to build up increased use of resilience to stressors, mindfulness, urban planning impact on mental health, as well as discovering the power of prevention and its evidence in this field of science.
To find out more on different areas of priorities in DataPrev visit the website.
To read about some evidnce-based programmes in the filed of mental health promotion and mental disorders prevention, such as school activities or depression prevention click here.
—–
EPHA related articles
– [->art4251]
– [->art3782]
– [->art4130]
– [->art4318]