7.P. Workshop: Early warning systems for changes in the mental health of populations
Authors:   Organised by: Robert Koch Institute (Germany), Sciensano (Belgium), Santé Publique France (France),   Chair persons: Elvira Mauz (Germany), Julia Thom (Germany)
Published: October 2023

To meet the information needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, public health institutes and agencies in several countries began to monitor the mental health of populations at a higher frequency. Quarterly, monthly, weekly, or even daily data on key indicators are being used to inform governments, practitioners, and members of the public of mental health developments taking place in the context of multiple dynamic and ongoing crises. High-frequency surveillance represents a novel approach in public mental health, with more traditional monitoring centering around annual or more sporadic estimates. While these “early warning systems” are of particular importance in times of crisis, continuous observation may be key to crisis preparedness and holds potential as part of regular mental health surveillance. It can provide an evidentiary basis to enable swift action for mental health promotion and prevention. What we have learned about this new surveillance strategy after the first few years of application warrants discussion. This workshop therefore seeks to address the following questions: 1. How has this approach been implemented and what have been central findings and experiences? 2. What are unresolved challenges and future directions in addressing them? 3. What are (untapped) potentials of high-frequency surveillance within public mental health, also beyond the pandemic?

In this workshop, teams from three European national public health institutes who have implemented a high-frequency surveillance approach to mental health will present their strategy, results, and experiences in order to discuss potentials, challenges, and questions of utility to policymakers and practitioners with the audience. A speaker from the Robert Koch Institute in Germany will present on the ongoing surveillance of several indicators based on over three years of monthly cross-sectional survey data, highlighting emerging questions around the identification of meaningful change and effective communication with policymakers. A speaker from Sciensano, the Belgian Institute of Health, will show results from quarterly surveillance based on survey data that are reported on a dedicated dashboard, focusing on the post-pandemic use of longitudinal data and its particular advantages in mental health monitoring. As a third perspective, a presentation from Santé publique France will provide insights into a twofold surveillance approach based on weekly and then monthly cross-sectional survey data as well as daily routine data from emergency department visits. All three surveillance systems observed dynamic and worrying developments in pandemic times and beyond. A brief introduction on early warning systems for changes in population mental health will precede the three presentations, which will serve as the foundation for a moderated discussion including the audience.

Key messages

• High-frequency surveillance for the early detection of changes in population mental health can enable swift action for mental health promotion and prevention in times of crisis and beyond.

• Three public health institutes present their experiences with the application of this new surveillance approach, aiming to contribute to its further development through discussion and exchange.