The EARLY Study – "Evaluating, identifying, and reducing determinants of Mental Health Conditions in Youth"

Limor Adler, Shlomo Vinker, Simone Marchini, Ella Ben-Shaool, Agnieszka Wojtecka, Łukasz Balwicki, Marija Jevtić, Nina Brkić-Jovanović, Kim-Julian Behr, Jutta Lindert

Keywords: mental health; youth; public health; primary care.

Background:

Youth in and beyond Europe are affected by various mental health challenges, among which are relatively high rates of mental health conditions (MHCs) (e.g., anxiety, substance use disorders) compared to other age groups.
Research Question: This qualitative study is conducted in the context of the EU-funded EARLY project. We aim to explore the perceptions of youth mental health and the factors influencing perceptions, expectations, and preferences toward youth mental health interventions.

Research questions:

This study is conducted in the context of the EU-funded EARLY project. We aim to explore the perceptions of youth mental health and the factors influencing perceptions, expectations, and preferences toward youth mental health interventions.

Method:

This part of the EARLY project is a qualitative study that takes place in five countries, including Germany, Belgium, Poland, Serbia, and Israel. Each country conducted focus group discussions (FGD) with youth, parents, and stakeholders (professionals). Recruitment was done based on a theoretical sampling approach to select participants purposively via various channels.

Results:

We will present the FGD conducted in Israel during May and June 2024. We held 5 FGDs and interviewed nine youths (ages 15-24), eight parents, and eight stakeholders (physicians, teachers, school managers, and social workers). Several themes emerged, including the influence of social media and friends on mental health and mental health conditions, the hyper-sharing in social media compared to the difficulties in discussing thoughts and challenges related to mental health in one-on-one conversations with parents, teachers, and sometimes even with friends. Among the mental health conditions most influencing youth were eating problems, self-harm, anxiety, and depression.

Conclusions:

Mental health conditions are prevalent among youth. However, discussing it in "real life" remains challenging for youth, parents, and stakeholders.

Points for discussion:

Challenges and shame in discussing mental health with youth, parents and stakeholders

High prevalence of mental health conditions among youth

Lack of source for support and intervention programs for youth

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