Estonian-Swedish Mental Health and Suicidology Institute (ERSI)
Estonian-Swedish Mental Health and Suicidology Institute (ERSI)
MERIKE SISASK
Overview of projects
(the EEA Grants and Norway Grants)
Tallinn, 03-12-2014
Public Health Initiatives Programme Operators Meeting
Estonian Mental Health and Well-being Coalition
The VATEK was established in 2012 by the initiative of the ERSI and support of the Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs.
For now the VATEK has grown to a network of 38 organizations related to mental health.
In 2014 the project “Improving advocacy and policymaking capacity of the
Estonian mental health and wellbeing coalition” was funded by the NGO Fund of the EEA Grants, intermediated by
Open Estonia Foundation.
www.vatek.ee
AppsTerv project
Web-based applications for mental health
Internet and mental health
Threats
• Pathological internet use –
5% of schoolchildren
• Maladaptive internet use
(subtreshold risk group) –
17% of schoolchildren
Source: ERSI SEYLE study
Durkee et al 2012
Opportunities
• Important part of everyday psycho-social environment
• Primary and instantly available channel for information and help
• Fills the gap in access to MH services (geographical gap, time gap)
The main objective of the AppsTerv project
To improve the quality of web-based information channels and the level and range of online counselling services, to increase awareness about mental health among children, youth, parents and specialists
THE PARTNERS:
ERSI, Avitus, Lahendus.net, TAI, Tervisekliinik, Arkimedes
AppsTerv action plan
Mental health web portal
• Development of web portal (EST/RUS)
• Reliable information about mental health
• Quick access to online counselling services
Online counselling services
• www.saeioleyksi.net.ee forum
• www.lahendus.net e-mail counselling
• www.alkoinfo.ee information portal
Network and capacity of online counsellors
• Network of volunteers
• MH specialists – trainers, supervisors etc
• Guidelines and quality standards
Smartphone apps
• Apps with self-help functionality (topics: deliberate self-harm, suicidal behaviour, depression, sleep problems)
www.enesetunne.ee
„Ära tee!“ („Don’t do it!“) app with self-help functionalities
Based on Norwegian app „Stop self-harm“
Prof Merike Sisask (PhD)
E-mail: sisask.merike@gmail.com
Estonian-Swedish Mental Health and Suicidology Institute (ERSI) www.suicidology.ee
