10.M. Scientific session: Youth mental health – listening to the voices of young people

Abstract The EARLY project: Evaluating, identifying, and reducing determinants of Mental Health Conditions in Youth is a project involving partners from 13 countries investigating mental health conditions (MHC) in youth. MHC are a significant public health challenge, particularly among youth. By 2020, child psychiatric disorders were predicted to be a leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and disability. Nearly one in four individuals will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime, with half of all cases beginning before the age of 14. Recent estimates suggest that over 9 million European adolescents (aged 10-19) live with an MHC, with higher prevalence among girls. The EARLY project, financed by the European Commission (GA 101095392), involves over 30 researchers from 13 European countries and beyond investigating youth MHC. Partners include the European Public Health Association (EUPHA), the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPHER), the World Association of Family Doctors (WONCA), and the Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy Network (GAMIAN). In this workshop, results of focus groups conducted with youth, parents, and stakeholders in five different countries are presented. We aim to provide an overview of perceptions of youth mental health in Belgium (first presentation), Germany (second presentation) Israel (third presentation), Poland (fourth presentation), and Serbia (fifth presentation). The specific primary objectives are: 1) to examine country-specific perspectives on youth mental health, and 2) to identify and analyze the perceptions of youth, parents, and stakeholders (e.g., teachers, social workers, psychologists). The presentations suggest that perceptions of youth mental health differ between youth, parents, and stakeholders. They also suggest that country context plays a significant role. The results suggest that there is still a gap in knowledge of youth mental health. Preliminary findings show that perceptions of youth mental health vary considerably between countries and between respondent groups. These differences underscore the need for context-sensitive mental health promotion strategies that reflect the lived experiences and social environments of young people. Key messages • Results from the 13 country EARLY study suggest that perceptions of their mental health by youth differ across countries. • Youth identify a significant gap in trusting relationships as contributing to their mental health.