This project is the first attempt to build up a comprehensive model which might serve as a basis for future mental health promotion strategies and programmes in Hungary. As part of that, in order to establish a common knowledge base both for professionals and the general public, and for the purpose of evaluating and conjoining the available workforce, a national methodology has been developed. Additionally, the feasibility of local implementation models has been evaluated, through measuring the effectiveness of building knowledge, attitudes and networking, within the framework of launching novel Mental Health Promotion Centres (MHPCs) in pre-existing Health Promotion Offices (HPOs), in six micro-regions that are dissimilar in terms of social and economic measures. In addition to studying local models, sectoral and intersectoral policy recommendations have been elaborated, in order to include mental health promotion in all national policies.
As a perspective, a long-term goal has been established to create a system for national dissemination, with the view that the newly established Mental Health Promotion Centres convey the message to the wide population that mental health and wellbeing is a value, and that all stakeholders can actively contribute to its preservation. The activities of these Centres have focussed on enabling the local communities to get acquainted with strategies of achieving and maintaining good mental health, and to recognise the signs and symptoms of the most important mental illnesses as well as the significance and possibilities of prevention, support, and asking for help.
Throughout the implementation process, we made central methodological developments, and we evaluated and analysed local models of operation.
The project worked out the necessary professional, methodological and operational contents, which was followed by the establishment of the Mental Health Promotion Centres (MHPCs) in the targeted micro-regions, based on the already existing Health Promotion Offices (HPOs). The key MHPC activity outputs were determined with continuous multi-tier background support and assistance from the Methodological Centre of the project. Detailed problem maps were created for each micro-region showing the local mental health parameters, used as a basis for adaptive MHPC operation. The organisational and professional functioning of the MHPCs were monitored and analysed with a detailed set of indicators developed by the project, while the Methodological Centre provided ongoing face-to-face peer supervision to MHPC staff. To promote the integration of the HPO-MHPC operation in health services as efficiently as possible, a detailed review was performed.
• The MHPC outputs and the methodological and technical/professional developments covering the entire spectrum of mental health in the framework of the project produced results that:
• corroborate that there is, indeed, a case for community-based mental health development and health promotion managed by the MHPC model,
• call for nationwide dissemination of the MHPC model from professional, methodological as well as social perspectives,
• may be used as a technical-methodological basis and input for nationwide dissemination,
• reduce the direct and indirect burdens on the health care system in the long term,
• make a major contribution towards a society and communities of improved health both mentally and physically.
The implementation of Project HU12-0001-PP3-2016 “Methodological, structural and capacity enhancement to support interventions aiming to promote the mental health of the population”
The mental health status of the Hungarian population is worse, even by European standards, than would be justified by the economic position, competitiveness, and cultural embeddedness of Hungary. A significant proportion of the Hungarian population is facing mental health difficulties entailing a heavy spiritual, social, and economic burden, and also representing potential risk factors causing somatic illness. The mental state of Hungarian society is aggravated by a lack of knowledge, beliefs, prejudices and fear of stigmatisation in relation to mental disorders. Millions of people are potentially suffering from mental health disorders in today’s Hungary; however, most of them are not aware of the actual problem faced or they refuse to confront – for lack of adequate information and in fear of stigmatisation – what is actually causing their illness, generating even bodily symptoms. Reaching targeted segments and groups of society and delivering messages are key for communities that are both sounder and more health-aware from a mental aspect.