Description
Only 10–15% of mentally ill children and adolescents worldwide receive help from Mental Health (MH) services (WHO 2005). The Why Youth Mental Health Care School-Based with Primary Care Liaison (WhySchool) project aims to develop a MH pathway-to-care for youth according to a stepped care approach starting at school level to hospital care, by empowering professionals in public schools. This will be achieved mainly through credited training programs on MH and delivery of information materials, including an e-learning platform. At a community level, WhySchool will enhance accessibility and equality in MH; while at an individual level, it will provide integrated support for youth in need. Outcome variables include a lower number of unattended MH situations in youth and increased MH literacy among teachers. Norwegian experts will provide formal support throughout WhySchool, opening an opportunity for developing collaborations between public health and educational services in both countries.
Summary of project results
The results of the survey on the prevalence of mental illness in Portuguese adult population suggest that Portugal is the country in Europe with the highest prevalence of mental disorders among adults. Although there are no studies of the prevalence of mental disorders in youth in Portugal, taking into account that 50% of the incidence of common mental disorders, occur until 24 years of age, there is a high degree of continuity in childhood disorders, and above all from adolescent disorders into adulthood, and that the importance of preventive programmes on child and adolescent mental health. The WhySchool project aimed to strengthen the articulation between the school and educational community with the local primary health care units through high-quality training actions both aiming workers in school health teams and school psychologists and teachers. The project proposes a model of illness prevention and health promotion which aims at promoting early symptomatology identification and referral through the educational staff capacitation in order to prioritize the role of prevention. In this way addressing and trying to reduce the deficit in early prevention and intervention level in mental health. The main goals were: Improving knowledge on child and adolescent MH; Improving teachers’ and other education professionals ability to recognize and differentiate between normal and misbehavior from possible pathological behavior; facilitate the access to mental health services, support and services. PrimeDep developed an online campaign on cyberbullying; report their results, develop training sessions and materials for education professionals; developed a WebSite for Teachers and educators and an e-learning platform and several actions of communication, such as the promotion of public meetings, information materials and implementation of a new and social media strategy. The project has contributed to the Public Health Initiatives Programme and the EEA Grants Programme objectives since it has developed mental health literacy all over the country in different schools, through intensive and thorough programmes, in hundreds of professionals, namely educators and primary care providers, thus improving mental health services and care aiming youth.
Summary of bilateral results
The strengthening of bilateral relations has been a constant goal throughout the project`s development. The involvement of the partner from the donors’ countries, in this case Prof. Lars Mehlum from NSSSF, University of Oslo, from Norway, in public events, in materials’ adaptation and review, and in the exchange of experiences and knowledge was crucial and enriched the project. Throughout the project, 4 public events have been organized (Sintra, Beja, Porto and Lisbon), led by the President of EUTIMIA with the present of partners from the donor´s countries like Lars Mehlum from NSSSF, Ping Qin (National Center of Research and Suicide Prevention, University of Oslo), Christoffer Vestli (President of Unge LEVE) and with other partners from other countries. Theres was several meetings to Teleconference Consultancy and Mutual Knowledge transfer: Several on-site ans skype meetings with national and international consultants, like Prof. Lars Mehlum (Oslo, Norway) to share knowledge and contents, and to highlight the contributions resulting from the sharing of knowledge. Interest was expressed and conditions were created for establishment of future possible partnerships, in particular linking public health to mental health, ISPUP (Institute of Public Health of the University of Porto) and NSSSF from Oslo, mediated by EUTIMIA The activities carried out in dissemination and communications have been essential for the development of the project and its success.