European Mental Health Week and JA PRISM kick-off in Croatia

During the conference, the Mental Health Division of CIPH presented the JA PRISM project, with a particular focus on the two evidence-based practices that will be implemented as part of the project activities in Croatia – BIZI, a program based on the education of gatekeepers in suicide prevention, and ABC (Act, Belong, Commit), which focuses on the promotion of mental health.

Croatia’s ABC implementation will include not only a public campaign promoting mental health, but also close collaboration with students in schools. Therefore, one of the highlights of the conference was a panel discussion involving stakeholders and representatives from the education system.

The discussion focused on the challenges faced by children, young people, and school staff in everyday school environments, as well as on the possibilities for providing timely and accessible support. Special emphasis was placed on the importance of prevention, strengthening mental health literacy, reducing stigma, and fostering cooperation between the health, education, and social care sectors in order to create supportive environments for children and young people.

Students not only participated in the panel discussion but were also given the opportunity to present their own school-based mental health project proposal, which focuses on personal growth. Their involvement highlighted how important it is to actively include those whom decisions and projects directly affect in the decision-making process itself. Listening to students and understanding their real needs, experiences, and perspectives is essential for creating meaningful and effective mental health initiatives within schools.

The event as a whole highlighted the importance of strengthening mental health promotion and prevention through collaborative European initiatives and the exchange of good practices.

 

 

Thank you to the Croatian team for providing the update and for planning and hosting this event!