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Background and Purpose:
The prevalence of mental illness is
constantly increasing, depression will become the 2nd largest cause of the
global health burden by 2020 (WHO) with major impacts on children and families
(3-11% "forgotten" children). Improving the mental health and well-being of
children and young people is one of the 5 priorities set out in the EU Pact for
Mental Health at the EU high level in 6/2008.
In almost no EU country "forgotten
children" are included in formal training programs of professionals in diverse
bio-psycho-social sectors. However a mental vulnerability of a parent always
can be seen as a source of chronic distress and increased own vulnerability for
young children.
In terms of prevention KIDS`STRENGTHS
transfers available EU training knowledge (Lets talk about children, Fostering
Resilience) and tools (e.g. online resource pools like www.precious.at) into
different bio-psycho-social sectors and countries (AT; DE; ES; FI, HU, PT; SK;
TR and EN) and also offers peer-oriented online-skill training and a platform
for children themselves to express their worries and find support.
Outcomes:
1) Specific training material
focused on the needs of children in the context of mental vulnerability
- How to address the issue of own vulnerability and needs of the children talking to parents
- The impact of a mental illness on children
- The importance of adequate information for children
- Fostering resilience in "forgotten" children
2) tailor made training modules for professionals in the field of
- Social work
- Early Childhood Intervention
- Pre-school
- School
- Health
- Psychosocial Services working with vulnerable families
3) Easy accessibility of training materials by
- diverse language variants (DE; FI, PT, ES, TR, SK, EN, HU)
- an online portal and online resource pool
4) Clinical online assessment of
relevant resilience processes (resilience map)
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