DataPrev - Mental Health Promotion and Mental Disorder Prevention in Europe

Gathering and building on world-wide and European evidence, DataPrev aims to deepen the understanding and enhancing the evidence base in policy research for mental health promotion and prevention.

DataPrev was granted funding (approx. 1 M€) by the Sixth Research Framework of the European Commission for the period 2007-2011. DataPrev collected and evaluated intervention programmes for infants, children, working age and older people, describing and synthesising the evidence base and describing programme outcomes. The project provided the arguments and outcomes to invest in effective interventions across Europe.

The DataPrev project consisted of ten work packages. One of the work packages was performed at Vaasa Excellence Centre for Mental Health. The Vaasa partner was responsible for collecting, analysing and disseminating data on interventions for mental health promotion and prevention of mental disorders in older people (i.e. people over 65 years of age).

The results show that psychosocial interventions have a significant preventive effect on depressive symptoms among older people. The literature review and meta-analysis are based on systematic literature searches in eleven electronic databases up until September 2010. The results point out the importance of considering meaningful social activities adapted to the older adults' individual abilities, needs, and preferences in mental health promotion and prevention of depression.

Articles

Forsman AK, Nordmyr J, Wahlbeck K. (2011). Psychosocial interventions for the promotion of mental health and the prevention of depression among older adults. (Submitted December 2010 to Health Promotion International).

Forsman AK, Schierenbeck I, Wahlbeck K. (2011). Psychosocial interventions for the
prevention of depression in older adults: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of
Aging & Health; 23: 387-416.

Forsman A, Jane-Llopis E, Schierenbeck I, Wahlbeck K. (2009). Psychosocial interventions for prevention of depression in older people. (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 2.

Contact details

Researcher Anna Forsman
firstname.lastname@thl.fi
Tel. +358 6 323 17 34

Postal address

THL, Vaasa Satellite Office, Mental Health
Seriegatan 2 C/2, FIN-65320 Vaasa

Visiting address

Seriegatan 2, Building C, 2nd floor, Vaasa

• Project summary
  (pdf, 104 kt)