Division 3.3.2.5 Mental health (Annex — point 2.2.1)

In line with the overall strategic approach on mental health^f1, as reflected in the European Pact for Mental Health and Well-being^f2, focus will be on activities which contribute to implementing the outcomes of the thematic conferences organised during 2009 on ‘Mental Health in Youth and Education’^f3 and on ‘Prevention of Depression and Suicide’^f4.

• Involving young people in the development and implementation of approaches for integrating mental health promotion and the prevention of mental disorders into educational settings and youth initiatives. The aim is to achieve improved academic, social and health outcomes. This will enable the Community to encourage other actors to engage in similar approaches.

  [Call for proposals for projects]

• Promoting the creation of regional and local networks and implementation strategies for mental health promotion, mental disorder prevention and suicide prevention, which involve health and other public authorities as well as non-health stakeholders and civil society. This will take into account the fact that decisions and actions taken in regions and municipalities have a key impact on the mental health of the population. The aim is to develop examples of action on mental health, which the Community can highlight as good practices.

  [Call for proposals for projects]

• Promoting interdisciplinary cooperation between health professionals which addresses the links between mental and physical health and builds on the increasing understanding of their interdependence. Particular focus is put on identifying possibilities for preventing depression in co-morbidity with physical illness. The aim is to identify the benefits from such action for the health and quality of life of patients and the sustainability of health systems. This will enable the Community to support Member States in improving the quality of care and ensuring the sustainability of health systems.

  [Call for proposals for projects]

• Study, composed of three parts, assessing mental health systems, situations and outcomes in Member States. The aim is to support the Mental Health Pact by procuring further knowledge. The first part describes the mental health systems of the Member States, candidate countries and EFTA/EEA countries, highlighting their differences and similarities; the second part compiles information about levels of mental health and mental illness in these countries; the third part identifies the benefits in terms of health, education, employment and social performance from investing in mental health and its promotion and prevention.

  [Call for tenders]