Miranda Novak

Interdisciplinary research framework for multisectoral mental health policy development

Abstract This paper proposes an interdisciplinary research framework for developing mental health policy in countries where a multisectoral approach to population mental health is not yet on the policy agenda. The proposed mental health policy research framework contains two structural elements: research on the policy content and policy process dimensions. The content dimension defines mental health policy as being a multisectoral policy encompassing positive mental health for all, the prevention and treatment of mental disorders, and the social and human rights consequences of poor mental health. The process dimension is based on the cyclical model of policy processes as described by Kingdon’s theory of agenda-setting and Rochefort’s analysis of the factors which affect mental health policy-making. The framework presents an innovative approach to researching mental health policy, bringing a more interdisciplinary focus and an explicit emphasis on policy-making.

Risk analysis in the period of growing-up of children and youth: starting point for effective prevention

AimsThis paper elaborates on the determinants of society “at risk”, children and youth at risk and risk behaviours of children and youth.Subjects and methodsA review of an existing literature and conducted studies on children and youth at risk and risk behaviours of children and youth has been carried out. Using the results of a number of studies in Croatia and abroad, particularly those of longitudinal character, this paper presents a review of the problems of those children and youth that are deemed to be at risk of developing risk behaviours. The term “young people at risk” represents people who exhibit behaviours, points of view or faults that are considered indicative of subsequent behavioural problems.ResultsWhen analyzing the results of epidemiological and other studies in both Croatia and abroad, epidemiological studies on internalized and externalized disorders of children and youth are becoming more frequent and continuous. Among internalized issues, anxiety, depressive disorders, suicides and wider mental health problems of children and youth are analysed and highlighted more and more often. Among externalised disorders, violent behaviour, criminal activity, juvenile offences, alcohol consumption, drug abuse and risky sexual behaviours are a part of the epidemiological studies presented in a paper.ConclusionTo implement effective prevention strategies, it is crucial to understand and epidemiologically follow risks to which children and youth are exposed to and to provide appropriate interventions according to the level of risk faced by each individual.