7.5 Mental health
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National strategy(ies)
The main policy document in relation to health, including mental health, is the National Health Plan 2009–2020 (Rahvatervise arengukava 2009-2020). A new National Health Plan for the years 2020-2030 is sent by the Government to the Parliament to be confirmed.
Please see chapter 7.4. for detailed information on the plan.
Improving the mental health of young people
In the framework of the Public Health Initiatives coordinated by the Ministry of Social Affairs, several projects on children and youth mental health were initiated during the period 2011-2016 supported by Norway Grants.
Most notably:
- Establishing the Children’s Mental Health Centre
Tallinn Children´s Hospital
Total Grant Amount (EUR): 4 165 000.
This project provides North-Estonia with the children’s mental health centres par excellence and by coordinating, training and supervising the network of mental health centres it will also improve mental health services in other regions of Estonia. - Developing and providing/piloting the rehabilitation services for children with severe mental health problems in the community residential setting
Estonian National Social Insurance Board.
Total Grant Amount (EUR): 1 045 462.
The objective of the project was to design innovative service(s) for children with mental health and behavioural problems, which will provide integrated social, educational and health services to support children and youth suitable life and education environment. - Developing a concept for integrated services to improve children´s mental health
Ministry of Social Affairs, The Department of Children and Families.
Total Grant Amount (EUR): 200 000.
The objective of the project was to develop a concept paper to build up a system of children´s mental health services and interventions with reduced fragmentation in service provision and improved regional coverage with integrated health and social care services for children and families. - Support for a service network for the provision of integrated social education and health services for children with mental problems in Tartu University Hospital „South-Estonian Mental Health Centre for children and youngsters“, Pärnu Hospital „Mental Health Centre for Children and Youth of Pärnu region“ and Tartu University Hospital „Ida-Viru county Mental Health Centre for Children and youngsters“. The grant was 425 000 euros per institution.
- Web-based information sources and counselling services on mental health Peaasjad - mental health e-counselling, web platform and online solutions for young people in Estonia. Grant: 218 159 EUR and Estonian- Swedish Mental Health and Suicidology Institute "AppsTerv - web-based applications for mental health". Grant: 204 860, 73 EUR
In total under the Public Health Initiative 2011-2016, the following results were achieved:
- Integrated services concept for children´s mental health
- 4 mental health centres
- 4 mental health counselling offices
- 3 web portals - Peaasi, Enesetunne, Amor
- 4 smartphone apps were developed for preventing self-harm and suicidal behaviour, depression and sleeping problems.
- 958 people received training on public health topics
- 1 015 youth attended mental health lectures
- 6 535 e-counselling
- 2 social campaigns were carried out about alcohol harms and tolerance about heavy alcohol drinking - Uncle Alco and Passive drinking
- 2 rehabilitation programs for providing long-term rehabilitation service for children with severe mental health problems
Another project “Improving the Support System for Children and Youth at Risk” developed a cross-sectoral support system to alleviate risks affecting children and youth and improved the well-being of children and youth. Two evidence-based programs - positive parenting program „Incredible Years“ and family-based intervention program MDFT were adapted and are now implemented in Estonia. The Concept for Improving the Support System for Children and Youth at Risk was compiled by the Ministry of Social Affairs. The document describes the main challenges in establishing the cross-sectoral (healthcare, legal protection, education, welfare system, etc.) support system for children and youth at risk, and recommends the most vital courses of action to the state for the purposes of ensuring the more streamlined operation and smoother co-operation.
Two evidence-based programmes supporting the mental health of young people are also implemented in Estonian schools:
- KiVa programme is a bullying prevention programme developed in Finland that uses a whole-school approach. Its components aim to affect skills, behaviour and classroom and school climate and have a positive impact on children's social and emotional well-being.
- The PAX Good Behaviour Game (PAX GBG) is a universal classroom-based programme that reduces behavioural and emotional problems, prevents the use of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs and improves educational attainment. In addition, several initiatives and science-based programmes are used at schools and curricula-based activities carried out to support students mental health.
Another important initiative to highlight is Estonian Mental Health and Well-Being Coalition (VATEK), which was established in 2012 by the initiative of the Estonian-Swedish Mental Health and Suicidology Institute (ERSI) and the support of the Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs. It is an independent public interest foundation, which brings together mental health organisations across Estonia. VATEK has grown to a network of 38 organizations related to mental health (non-governmental organisations, public sector organisations, professional organisations and trade companies). The main objectives of VATEK are to promote the Estonian population's mental health and well-being and enhance the development of mental health policy and legislation.