Promotion and Prevention in Child, Adolescent and Young People Mental Health: The Greek Experience of Participation in the Mental Health Network Programme of the European Commission

Abstract

In 1997 the European Commission established the Mental Health Promotion Network to seek out, disseminate and promote best practice in mental health promotion and the prevention of mental disorders. The Network has commissioned a number of projects including two projects addressing the promotion of mental health and prevention of mental disorders in children and adolescents. Anticipated results included the establishment of criteria to identify good practice, development of a European database of good practice and widespread dissemination of good practice that could be implemented throughout the Community. The paper discusses the involvement and experiences of the staff employed in one organisation, from Greece, who have participated in the work Network, and highlights some of the difficulties faced and lessons learnt from participation in a multi-national project.

Keywords:

• mental health promotion
• best practice
• child and adolescents
• criteria
• collaboration and dissemination