HorizonSMILE’s Post

As investigators at IRCCS Policlinico di Sant’Orsola - Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna , we are thrilled to announce a new partnership between HorizonSMILE and Fondazione In Oratione Instantes 🤝 Together, we are combining our strengths and shared vision to support and empower young people, enhancing mental health resources and fostering personal growth and resilience 🧠 ☘ This partnership unites HorizonSMILE’s innovative mental health strategies with the compassionate, youth-focused mission of Fondazione In Oratione Instantes, known for nurturing the personal development and well-being of young individuals 👦 👧 By working together, we will: -Expand access to mental health support through community-based and educational programs, -Create a holistic support network for youth, addressing both mental and emotional resilience, -Promote educational success and reduce disparities by providing resources that encourage self-discovery and personal empowerment, and -Instill hope and resilience in young people, enabling them to become positive agents of change in their communities. 💪 This collaboration represents a significant step toward creating a brighter, healthier future for our younger generations. We look forward to sharing updates on our joint initiatives, upcoming events, and new resources designed to uplift and support youth mental health. Together, HorizonSMILE and Fondazione In Oratione Instantes are committed to creating lasting, positive change. For information: vincenza.frisardi@aosp.bo.it elisa.casoli@aosp.bo.it #youthempowerment #mentalhealthmatters #strongtogether #resilience

Dear All! It is with great pleasure that I am announcing the release of a fantastic piece of research report that I had the privilege of co-authoring with my colleagues Reshma Suresh Asad Fazil MBE Jennifer Holland and Professor David Murphy. We have been working on this research project for more than a year and a half. This research was a collaboration between Al Hurraya and University of Nottingham and was commissioned by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board and Nottingham City Council This research looks at the experiences of individuals from ethnically diverse communities with Severe Multiple Disadvantage (SMD) and makes a very compelling emphasis on the often-overlooked intersection of race, mental health, and systemic inequality. This groundbreaking report dives deep into how racial trauma, driven by discrimination and social injustice, uniquely impacts those living with SMD, compounding their struggles and making recovery even more challenging. As a team of researchers and practitioners we believe that for far too long, the voices of individuals from ethnically diverse communities have been marginalized within the mainstream narrative, with their experiences of racial micro aggressions within healthcare, social services, and daily life frequently ignored. This report calls for a radical rethinking of how we approach mental health care for people of colour with SMD, advocating for trauma-informed, culturally competent practices that address the root causes of racial trauma. By reading this report, healthcare providers, policymakers, and advocates can gain invaluable insights into the compounded effects of racial trauma on mental health and learn actionable strategies to promote healing and equity. It emphasizes the need for systemic change and highlights the power of community-led solutions that can help dismantle structural barriers. With this report, we aim to inspire a more inclusive and just mental health system, where every person, regardless of their race or mental health status, can access the care and support they need to heal, thrive, and live with dignity. We hope you find meaning and value in this report and hope it leads to fundamental changes around us. We would also love to hear your feedback.

🎮 Today JAL invites you to read an interesting Protocol "Efficacy of the Use of Exergames in Promoting the Mental Health of the Elderly: Protocol of a Systematic Review" by Andreia Lima, Maria Teresa Moreira, Maria Salomé Ferreira, Vítor Parola, Francisco Sampaio, Maria do Perpétuo Nóbrega and Carla Fernandes. 💡 Scientific and technological advancements have significantly impacted our daily lives, and it is not easy to imagine living without their benefits. However, elderly individuals may experience limited access to these resources, impeding their autonomy. To address this, the use of exergames has been proposed to promote the mental health and socialization of older people. This study aims to systematically review the effectiveness of exergames in promoting older people’s mental health and socialization. 🔗 Access to the full Protocol: https://lnkd.in/dYXzUg_7

Most days in my job, I'll catch up with at least one funder who is investing in or giving to mental health, and more often than not, I'll also hear from an innovator who is trying to scale access to mental health support 🤗 One of the pain points that comes up is the very understandable desire from funders for innovations to be evidence-based and well researched... but there can be a chicken and egg situation where the funding to build that evidence base for promising interventions can be hard to come by 😬 Which is why I was super happy to hear from WAM FOUNDATION about their new RFP for mental health, which aims to support organizations with a strong evidence base OR to fund the research that builds this evidence for promising interventions in low- and middle-income countries. WAM Foundation grants typically range from $500,000 to $1.5 million, and they are particularly interested in funding initiatives that demonstrate potential for cost-effective scaling and impact, or research that helps build a robust evidence base for scaling existing or future interventions. Link to the RFP in the comments. Deadline 22 Nov. (Also a quick reminder about the Wellcome Trust funding opportunity for research to evaluate and further develop scalable digital interventions to advance early intervention in depression, anxiety and psychosis. Deadline 5 Dec.) Harlan Downs-Tepper Gaia Brignone Natasha Müller Kokoro

The Population Mental Health Supermatch took place on the 24th and 25th of June during the Global Leadership Exchange, and brought together peers, carers, policymakers, researchers, and clinicians from 11 countries around the world. We discussed policies, programs and examples that promote mental health for all and had a deep dive into neighbourhood mental health initiatives as well as in schools and workplaces in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Working to enhance mental health in the general population is increasingly necessary. It's in essence a broad subject. We exchanged a lot and collectively arrived at a set of topics important to take forward beyond the Global Leadership Exchange within population mental health. A working document to set a shared language of what we mean by population mental health is in the works for the end of 2024, and follow-up meetings in person and online have already been planned among the submatches on work and school mental health. Watch this space! Thanks to Trimbos-instituut and #PHAC for the organisation of this supermatch.

The MENTOR Project Launches – A New Step Towards Improving Mental Health in Europe On October 7th, the international project MENTOR (Mental Health Together) was officially launched in Riga, bringing together over 100 experts from 43 institutions across 20 European countries. The goal of the project is to improve mental health care, promote social inclusion, and reduce stigma, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups in society. For the first time, the Riga Psychiatry and Narcology Centre (RPNC) is leading such a large-scale mental health project on a European level. The Latvian team is closely collaborating with international partners to develop comprehensive solutions for mental health improvement. Why is this project important? The MENTOR project focuses on developing new and effective approaches to improve mental health across Europe. It not only aims to support individuals with mental health disorders but also to foster better policy implementation in health care. Agnese Vaļuliene, State Secretary of the Ministry of Health, emphasized the significance of this initiative by stating: "Without individual mental health, there will be no society as such." These words remind us of the fundamental importance of mental health in ensuring the well-being of our society. During the opening event, special attention was given to the synergy session, where Professor Mārcis Leja, Director of the Institute of Clinical and Preventive Medicine at the University of Latvia, shared insights from the EUCanScreen project. Professor Leja highlighted the collaboration opportunities between the EUCanScreen and MENTOR projects, especially regarding improving access to health care and reducing inequalities in the health sector. Future Goals and Benefits The MENTOR project will work to establish sustainable and integrated mental health care systems across Europe. It will promote best practices in policy development, support innovative interventions, and improve access to mental health services, particularly for vulnerable groups such as youth in challenging living conditions and displaced populations. Follow us for updates on the MENTOR project and how we are working to improve public health across Europe. #MENTOR #EUCanScreen #EU4Health #MentalHealth

Ask Dr. Felitti About ACE (ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES) The ACE Study, conducted in the late 1990s and examined the connections between adverse childhood experiences and long-term health outcomes. Dr. Felitti and Dr. Alman have been collaborating since the late 80’s because of the importance of addressing childhood trauma, promoting resilience as well as openness to new learning, and resolving your underlying causes that are the key factors in preventing and mitigating the impact of adverse experiences on health and well-being. Dr. Felitti identified ten types — and we added the 11th question for people who got an ACE Score of zero and for the opportunity to add other — adverse childhood experiences, including abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, and found a strong association between the number of ACEs a person experienced and their risk for various physical and mental health conditions later in life. Their ACE solutions shed light on positive outcomes from recognizing, acknowledging and healing past traumas or challenges that may continue to affect us into adulthood. They invite us to explore and heal from these experiences, recognizing that our resilience and ability to thrive are not defined by our past but shaped by our capacity for healing and growth. Breaking the Cycle: the mobile qpp - enlightn.me - represents the opportunity to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma and create a brighter future for ourselves and future generations. This reminds us that healing from adverse childhood experiences is not only about our own well-being but about creating a ripple effect of healing and transformation in our families and communities. By doing the inner work of healing, we contribute to the collective healing of humanity and pave the way for a future rooted in resilience, compassion, and joy. https://www.enlightn.me Vincent J Felitti, MD,   co-Principal investigator of the ACE Study, Retired Chief of Preventive Medicine at Kaiser Permanente in San Diego Brian M. Alman, PhD, CEO, True Sage Inc, ACE Treatment Solution, Founder and Clinical Director. ACE Mobile App Founder of enlightn. #Acestudy #VincentJFelittiMD #truesage #drbrianalman #SelfCare #Trauma #stressmanagement #Healing #mentalhealth #happiness #mindfulness #wellbeingatwork #stressrelief #parenting #SchoolStress #enlightn #workwellbeing #corporatewellbeing #corporatewellness #empoweremployees

😮 Recent studies by the U.S. Surgeon General and the American Psychiatric Association have shed light on a growing issue: loneliness. 😉 There is a medicine hiding in plain sight: social connection. Keep reading! But despite living in an increasingly connected world, many of us feel more isolated than ever. Here are some key findings and steps we can take to foster stronger social connections: Recognize the Impact: Loneliness has serious health consequences, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and dementia. Acknowledging its impact is the first step towards addressing it. Strengthen Social Infrastructure: Communities thrive when there are accessible parks, libraries, and community centers that encourage interaction. Consider participating in or advocating for local initiatives that build these spaces. Leverage Technology Wisely: While technology can connect us, it can also lead to superficial interactions. Use digital tools to schedule regular face-to-face meetups or join online communities that encourage meaningful engagement. Cultivate a Culture of Connection: Small acts of kindness and regular check-ins with friends, family, and colleagues can make a big difference. Whether it's a quick call, a coffee chat, or a simple text, these interactions help strengthen our social bonds. Promote Mental Health: Encourage open conversations about mental health and support those who might be struggling. Access to mental health resources and support networks is crucial in mitigating the effects of loneliness. Let's make a collective effort to build a more connected and resilient society.

Collaborative innovation lies at the heart of what we do at J&J, recognising that no single entity possesses all the answers. We are driving partnerships across the mental health ecosystem - with technology experts, with mental health healthcare professionals, and with patient advocacy organisations such as GAMIAN-Europe and EUFAMI. Together we can break down barriers to accelerate innovation and access to address the scale of unmet mental health needs in Europe, where 40 million people are impacted by depression. Yet, 3 out of 4 people currently do not receive adequate treatment. Behind these statistics, are the personal stories from millions of friends and relatives from across Europe whose lives have been shattered by major depressive disorder. At Johnson & Johnson, we remain steadfast in our commitment to reducing the burden and disability caused by serious nervous system disorders leading with a precision approach in psychiatry to deliver breakthrough, outcome-improving solutions in areas of critical unmet need. Together we can mobilise change. Together we can be the change. #EuropeanMentalHealthWeek #MentalHealthAwareness