The overall objective of JA PRISM is to reduce the burden of poor mental health, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups, by promoting good mental health, effectively preventing mental health problems and improving access to mental health treatment and services across EU Member States and associated countries, supporting the transfer and implementation of best and most promising practices to new contexts.
The specific objectives of JA PRISM will be set at two levels: 1) the Joint Action in general and 2) the implementation sites.
The specific objectives (SO) at the Joint Action level are:
SO1. Promote good mental health and the prevention of mental health problems.
SO2. Improve access to evidence-based, innovative, promising and personalised approaches and interventions in the treatment of mental health problems, including improved care and community-based approaches.
SO3. Improve quality of life through adequate, patient-centred follow-up care, with a focus on fundamental rights and combating stigma and discrimination.
SO4. Support Member States in adopting a comprehensive approach to mental health for vulnerable groups.
SO5. Contribute to the long-term sustainability of adapted practices and outcomes at national level.
SO6. Facilitate the transfer to new contexts of practices that support mental health in vulnerable groups.
SO7. Promote synergies and collaboration with JA MENTOR and other initiatives.
SO8. Effectively disseminate and communicate JA’s objectives, activities and results at national and international level.
SO9. Ensure high-quality evaluation of JA PRISM’s performance and impact.
SO10. Manage JA PRISM efficiently.
In line with Member States’ preferences and priorities, the practices to be transferred focus on suicide prevention (BIZI programme), combating loneliness among older people (Circle of Friends) and promoting emotional well-being among children and young people (Act, Belong, Commit).
JA PRISM activities are divided into seven work packages (WPs): four cross-cutting WPs (coordination and management, communication and dissemination, evaluation and sustainability) and three technical WPs, each dedicated to the transfer of a selected practice. In total, JA PRISM represents 61 implementation sites (13 sites will obtain information on methodological approaches and practices, but are not expected to roll them out, 34 sites will launch small-scale pilot projects and 14 sites will carry out large-scale implementations) in 18 Member States and 2 associated countries.
JA PRISM aims to raise awareness and knowledge of human rights-based approaches, improve the empowerment and quality of life of vulnerable and socio-economically disadvantaged groups through , and reshape public health services and policy-making towards a comprehensive, prevention-oriented approach to mental health.
JA PRISM aims to reduce the burden of poor mental health, with a specific focus on vulnerable groups, by promoting good mental health, effectively preventing mental health problems and improving access to mental health treatment and services in all EU Member States and associated countries, supporting the transfer and implementation of best and most promising practices to new contexts.
- Improve the quality of life of vulnerable and socio-economically disadvantaged groups by stepping up measures, such as guidelines and awareness-raising activities, to end stigma and discrimination. JA PRISM will work to support the long-term sustainability of adapted practices and outcomes at national level to ensure real impact.
- Reduce the burden of mental health disorders and years lived with disability. JA PRISM will increase the capacity of health authorities to deliver a comprehensive approach to mental health for vulnerable groups. The project will focus on 19 different countries as a first step towards achieving real reduction at a global level.
- Reshape public health services towards a comprehensive, prevention-oriented approach to mental health for vulnerable populations.
- Address the social determinants of mental health by designing and implementing impactful policies and approaches in Europe.
- Strengthen social networks and services (health, education, social and cultural promotion) and equal access to them for vulnerable people at risk of mental disorders.
The direct target groups are: people with mental health problems or at risk, vulnerable groups (children and adolescents, older people, migrants, people with low socioeconomic status, refugees, Roma, unemployed people, LGBTQI+, substance users and prisoners), health and public health professionals and managers, health authorities and policy makers. The indirect target groups are: academia, patient organisations, civil society and industry.
The coordination team is represented by Biosistemak. It is responsible for fulfilling the objectives of the joint action and contractual obligations with HaDEA, DG SANTE and the European Commission, and provides overall scientific and technical leadership, quality assurance policy and general coordination of the joint action. Biosistemak also provides strategic guidance, designs changes in the scope and focus of the different tasks, coordinates all the efforts of the executive committee and manages the dependencies between tasks, linking the components to successfully complete the joint action. The Institute is also responsible for obtaining high-quality results within the identified objectives and constraints; it is responsible for establishing a common overall methodological approach, defining high-quality standards and directing efforts towards implementation, evaluation and scientific publications.
Biosistemak is also the leader of work package 5, which focuses on the transfer of the BIZI practice and whose main objectives are:
- To analyse the situation and identify priorities and strategic areas related to suicide prevention.
- Adapt the BIZI practice to ensure its suitability for different contexts and local needs and characteristics.
- To enrich the BIZI programme with additional micro-interventions that address cross-cutting issues related to mental health.
- To develop an action plan to guide the implementation of the practices in the implementation sites.
- Deploy, supervise and monitor local practices to ensure compliance with planned activities.
The Basque Country, through Biosistemak and in close collaboration with Osakidetza and other agents in the Basque health and welfare system, plays a strategic role in the selection and implementation of good practices in mental health. Within the framework of the JA PRISM Joint Action, the Basque Country is leading the transfer of the BIZI programme, recognised at European level as a promising practice in suicide prevention. This programme, rooted in the Basque Suicide Prevention Strategy, offers free and accessible online training for non-healthcare community professionals and volunteers, with the aim of equipping them with skills in early detection and support for people at risk.
In this way, the Basque Country is becoming a benchmark in the identification of vulnerable groups and the implementation of innovative methodologies that can be adapted in other European countries. Basque participation in JA PRISM promotes cross-sector cooperation with local councils, provincial councils, professional associations and third sector organisations, consolidating a collaborative ecosystem around suicide prevention. With this leadership, the Basque Country is promoting the transfer, evaluation and scalability of good practices at European level, strengthening applied research, continuous training and the improvement of community care services.
- Sarah Berrocoso, Jone Guenetxea, Dolores Verdoy, Ane Fullaondo.