The Institute hosted PRISM’s first study visit, focusing on the BIZI programme
The second visit, which took place in November in Copenhagen, served to present the ABC practice on mental health.
On 28 and 29 October, the Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC) was the venue for the first study visit of the European project Joint Action on Mental Health – PRISM, dedicated to the BIZI programme. Coordinated by Biosistemak, this event brought together more than 30 participants (with 47 people connected online) to discuss one of the three good practices being transferred within the framework of the project, in this case focusing on suicide prevention.
During the two days, professionals from Osakidetza, Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (EHU) and MLAKOOP shared the journey that led to the creation and implementation of the BIZI programme, available through Osasun Eskola +. The sessions served to discuss how to adapt this model to different European contexts, promoting the exchange of learning to strengthen suicide prevention from a community perspective.
BIZI, a promising European practice in mental health
The BIZI programme, recognised by the European Commission as a promising practice in mental health, is an online training course on suicide prevention launched in 2022. Since then, nearly 3,700 people have completed the course, which is designed to provide information and tools to professionals and individuals who are in regular contact with vulnerable groups. Its aim is to facilitate the early detection of risk signs, provide initial support and refer people to specialist resources.
Developed by Osakidetza and the Department of Health within the framework of the 2019 Suicide Prevention Strategy, the programme follows the gatekeeper model, which trains strategically placed individuals—such as social service professionals, community pharmacies, associations, and helplines—to intervene early and effectively. It is a bilingual, interactive, and free theoretical and practical training course with downloadable materials and a set of case studies that help transfer knowledge to real-life situations.
Second study visit: the ABC practice in Copenhagen
On 3 and 4 November, the second visit of the JA PRISM project took place in Copenhagen, focusing on the Australian Act, Belong, Commit (ABC) practice, aimed at promoting mental well-being. Representing Biosistemak were the institute’s scientific director and joint action coordinator, Ane Fullaondo, and researchers Sarah Berrocoso and Jone Guenetxea, alongside colleagues from Europe and Australia.
The second day of the meeting took place at the headquarters of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in UN City, with the support of RZDK. The meeting provided an opportunity to learn about Curtin University‘s extensive experience in implementing the ABC model and to discuss its adaptation to the European context.
