Participatory approaches to promote youth mental health

Abstract Background Youth mental health is affected by many factors. Less is known about perceptions of mental health and perceptions of influencing factors by youth themselves. Methods We conducted focus group discussions with youth aged 15 - 24 in 6 countries in Europe (Germany, Belgium, Poland, Serbia, Israel) in 2024. Eligibility criteria were age, fluency in the language of the country, and not living in institutions. Focus group discussions were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. The focus group discussion was audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed by at least two researchers with diverse expertise (psychiatry, Public Health, Public Mental Health, psychology, medicine, sociology, health promotion). The data obtained were systematically analyzed using thematic analysis. The data analyses will be used to develop a community intervention in the EARLY project. Results Youth identified various themes in the different countries. However, they stressed the lack of relationships and communication opportunities with parents and grandparents. The focus group participants stressed the need for interventions and health promotion, emphasizing community and family interventions. Additionally, a theme was the joint development of interventions with the youth themselves. Conclusions Participatory interventions for mental health promotion and the prevention of mental health conditions are needed. Youth should be involved in research planning and conduct. Addressing youth directly and giving opportunities to participate in intervention development is essential to improving mental health in all implementations and maximizing its impact on young adults’ mental health. Youth who do not speak the national language should be involved in further studies.