Session 1 Introduction to course

Session 1 structure 1.Why are mental health promotion and mental disorder prevention important? 2. Contents of this course – what we will cover. DataPrev Training Module - Session 1 - Introduction

Some definitions Mental well-being - A dynamic state in which the individual is able to develop their potential, work productively and creatively, build strong and positive relationships with others, and contribute to their community. Mental Capital - The totality of an individuals (or populations) cognitive and emotional resources. The extent of an individuals resources reflects his/her basic biological endowment, and their experiences and education, which take place throughout the life-course. Mental health problems refer to signs and symptoms of mental distress, not necessarily meeting the clinical criteria of a mental disorder. Mental disorders are psychological or behavioural patterns, causing distress and/or disability, defined by international standardised diagnostic criteria. Common mental disorders are depression, anxiety disorders and substance/alcohol use disorders. Disability is a core feature of some mental disorders, such as dementias, autism and psychoses like schizophrenia. DataPrev Training Module - Session 1 - Introduction

More definitions Mental health promotion - Attempts to – a) encourage and increase protective factors and healthy behaviours that can help prevent the onset of a mental health problem or disorder and – b) reduce risk factors that can lead to the development of a mental health problem or disorder Mental disorder prevention - a strategy or approach that – a) reduces the likelihood of risk of onset, or – b) delays the onset of adverse mental health problems, or – c) reduces the harm resulting from conditions or behaviours DataPrev Training Module - Session 1 - Introduction

Why is mental health promotion important? Reason 1: Mental disorders are common, debilitating and under-treated Common mental disorders (CMDs) are highly prevalent – adult neurotic disorder - rate of over 16% in the UK population. – 1 in 4 adults will suffer a CMD in their lifetime. CMDs are are often disabling, and half last for longer than a year. Many mental disorders are poorly diagnosed and treated – Around 50%of those with disorder who visit their GP are not diagnosed, and those that are diagnosed are often inadequately treated. DataPrev Training Module - Session 1 - Introduction

Why is mental health promotion important? Reason 2: The burden and costs of poor mental health are high for families and individuals Burden and costs for the individual – Loss in quality of life – Lost earnings – Comorbidity: Reduced physical health – Stigma and discrimination Burden and costs for families – Losses in family income – Reduced quality of family interactions – Premature death DataPrev Training Module - Session 1 - Introduction

Reason 3: The burden and costs of poor mental health are high for societies Burden and costs for societies – Costs of health care and social care – Losses in productivity – Costs of legal intervention – Disability benefits – Premature death DataPrev Training Module - Session 1 - Introduction Why is mental health promotion important?

Reason 4: The costs of poor mental health and far-reaching and long-lasting – Costs in different sectors – Associated with poor physical health – Childhood to adulthood links – Intergenerational transmission DataPrev Training Module - Session 1 - Introduction

Why is mental health promotion important? Reason 5: Current trends point to an increasing need for mental capital in the future – Ageing society – Tending towards the knowledge based society – Increasing burden of mental disorders DataPrev Training Module - Session 1 - Introduction

Why is mental health promotion important? Reason 6: There are individual and societal benefits of positive mental health and mental capital Positive mental health is crucial in todays society so as to stimulate growth and development and to contribute to prosperity, solidarity, social justice and increased quality of life across Europe. (from evidence paper) DataPrev Training Module - Session 1 - Introduction

Why is mental health promotion important? Reason 7: We have a growing understanding of risk and protective factors Individual risk and protective factors Environmental risk and protective factors Modifiable biological factors (e.g. Effects on gene expression) DataPrev Training Module - Session 1 - Introduction

Why is mental health promotion important? Reason 8: Mental capital differences reinforce differences in inequality Poor mental health is linked to poverty and social exclusion. Mental health promotion is a key action in the process toward an inclusive EU and closely linked to the EU-wide Europe 2020 strategic targets for reduction of school drop-outs, poverty and social exclusion. DataPrev Training Module - Session 1 - Introduction

Content of this course Key Points Developing and implementing policies without evidence-based knowledge may be harmful and wasteful Different research methodologies each have their own strengths and weaknesses, and answer different types of questions DataPrev Training Module - Session 1 - Introduction

Key Points cont. Systematic reviews of available evidence should be carried out before starting new studies to avoid duplication of efforts Would it work questions can only be answered by quantitative research metodologies DataPrev Training Module - Session 1 - Introduction

Key Points cont. In whatever situation apply always the highest possible standards of research designs to answer the question of intervention effectiveness Qualitative methodologies are best suited to answering questions on satisfaction with services, identifying public attitudes, and helping to identify effective ingredients of interventions and user-defined outcomes DataPrev Training Module - Session 1 - Introduction

Key Points cont. Research on the cost-effectiveness of interventions is important in guiding health and non-health resourcing decisions There are well constructed guidelines available on how to conduct studies and report research results which commissioners of research could oblige evaluators to adhere to DataPrev Training Module - Session 1 - Introduction

Key Points cont. Irrespectively of having good evidence, when informing decisions on implementation and the scaling up of interventions, always consider issues of generalizability and transferability to different settings, cultures or regions All programme implementation should include evaluation, encompassing both process and outcome indicators DataPrev Training Module - Session 1 - Introduction