4.B. Workshop: Data collection during COVID-19 pandemic and its policy impacts

The workshop has the aims to review practices for reliable and robust data collection during disaster such as the COVID-19 pandemic and to develop implementation practices. Study conduct is even more necessary in times of crises and at the same time more challenging. We review existing practices by bringing together three aspects of study conduct in times of crises: 1) experiences with sampling methods, 2) experiences with exposure assessment and 3) development of evidence based policy guidelines. First, experiences with different sampling approaches to collect longitudinal data on in a multicentre study during the COVID19 pandemic are presented (Felix Sisenop). Second, exposure assessment methods in different cultural traditions are presented and reflected (Edvaldo Begotaraj). Third, the challenge of rapid evidence based policy development will be reviewed (Marija Jakubauskiene). It will be shown, how data gathered in an international consortium can have impact on a national level through policy advisory. Ensuring the ability to provide robust and reliable data on psychosocial and mental health service responses to crises is an important step for emergency preparedness. The lessons learnt will be discussed with workshop participants

11.B. Workshop: COPERS - an international longitudinal study on coping and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic

Mental health and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic is a challenge for all indivduals. While evidence is emerging that the COVID pandemic has affected mental health of everybody, at this point, no comparable data about the extent of the COVID-19 pandemic impact on mental health and resilience on citizens in Europe are available. We aim to fill this gap in knowledge

Psychosocial interventions for violence exposed youth - A systematic review

Background: Violence exposure (direct, indirect, individual, structural) affects youth mental health.Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions in addressing the sequelae of violence exposure on youth (15-24 years old) and evaluate whether moderating factors impact intervention effectiveness.Methods: We systematically searched eight databases and reference lists to retrieve any studies of psychosocial interventions addressing mental health among youth aged 15-25 exposed to violence. We assessed study risk of bias using an adapted version of the Downs and Black's Risk of Bias Scale.Results: We identified n = 3077 studies. Sixteen articles representing 14 studies met were included. The studies assessed direct and indirect individual violence exposure at least once. We pooled the data from the 14 studies and evaluated the effects. We estimated an average effect of r+ = 0.57 (RCTs: 95 % CI 0.02-1.13; observational studies: 95 % CI 0.27-86) with some heterogeneity (RCTs: I-2 = 78.03, longitudinal studies: I-2 = 82.93). The most effective interventions are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Exposure Therapy with an exposure focus. However, due to the small number of studies we are uncertain about benefits of interventions.Conclusions: No study assessed structural violence. Therefore, studies are needed to evaluate the effects of psychosocial interventions for youth exposed to direct, indirect, individual and structural violence

Coping with the mental health impact of COVID-19: A study protocol for a multinational longitudinal study on coping and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BackgroundMental health is challenged due to serious life events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and can differ by the level of resilience. National studies on mental health and resilience of individuals and communities during the pandemic provide heterogeneous results and more data on mental health outcomes and resilience trajectories are needed to better understand the impact of the pandemic on mental health in Europe.MethodsCOPERS (Coping with COVID-19 with Resilience Study) is an observational multinational longitudinal study conducted in eight European countries (Albania, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia). Recruitment of participants is based on convenience sampling and data are gathered through an online questionnaire. gathering data on depression, anxiety, stress-related symptoms suicidal ideation and resilience. Resilience is measured with the Brief Resilience Scale and with the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Depression is measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire, Anxiety with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale and stress-related symptoms with the Impact of Event Scale Revised- Suicidal ideation is assessed using item 9 of the PHQ-9. We also consider potential determinants and moderating factors for mental health conditions, including sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., age, gender), social environmental factors (e.g., loneliness, social capital) and coping strategies (e.g., Self-efficacy Belief).DiscussionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to multi-nationally and longitudinally determine mental health outcomes and resilience trajectories in Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this study will help to determine mental health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic across Europe. The findings may benefit pandemic preparedness planning and future evidence-based mental health policies