Description
Economic crisis increases the population vulnerability to mental health problems. Further research is needed to better understand this relationship and to develop innovative policies and interventions. To attain this objective, we will compare epidemiological data on mental disorders, their determinants and use of services, in a representative sample of the Portuguese population, before and after the crisis. Activities: A follow-up of the epidemiological study by our group in 2009; analysis of suicide rates and qualitative studies in primary care; Designing/disseminating new models and programs to reduce health inequalities. Outputs: 3 reports, a final workshop, 9 papers in journals, 8 presentations in conferences. Collaboration with partners will contribute to share knowledge and expertise and to strengthen bilateral/European networks.
Summary of project results
The Mental Health – Crisis Impact Project represented a unique opportunity to obtain a new knowledge on the impact of crisis on the mental health of the Portuguese population. They compared the results of a national mental health survey, carried out before the crisis, with the results of a follow-up of this survey carried out in 2015, which were complemented by results of other quantitative and qualitative approaches. The objectives to obtain a new understanding of the effects of the economic crisis in Portugal on the mental health of the populations were achieved through of the following outputs: 3 papers in national journals, 7 papers in international journals, 3 fact sheets, 5 presentations in international meetings, 5 presentations in national meetings and 1 final workshop. The results of the project significantly contributed to the goal of the sub-area: “Assess and improve the access to care of the population groups affected by the economic crisis”. They confirmed a significant increase of mental distress in the Portuguese population since the beginning of the economic crisis. The results also indicated several insufficiencies in the response of the health system to the increasing pressure for mental health care, both in terms of access to care and provision of minimally adequate treatment. Furthermore, the study showed that a number of factors linked to the economic crisis - namely, unemployment, declining incomes, financial deprivation and declining socioeconomic status - are significantly associated with the increase in the prevalence of mental health problems and common mental disorders that took place in Portugal. On the other hand, high social support and living in neighbourhoods where people feel protected and socially integrated have proven to be protective factors in relation to the risk of having mental health problems. Based on these results, the Government initiated a revision and extension of the national mental health plan, and both the new data and the recommendations resulting from the project provided crucial contributions for the development of a new plan. The new knowledge about the social and economic determinants of mental health, also contributed to design policies and plans that are being developed in Portugal in this area, which may decrease the inequalities associated to the economic crisis.
Summary of bilateral results
Bilateral relations with Norwegian Institute of Public Health allowed to these partners collaborated in the discussion of the results of the study, through the participation of Professor Arne Holt. The collaboration in the debate concerning the impact of the crisis on the mental health of the populations, which strengthened and provided continuity to the previous collabo¬ration under the EU Joint Action on Mental Health and Wellbeing.