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

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

Resilience and coping with COVID-19: the COPERS study

A year has passed, and the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread around the world. Apart from its direct devastating health consequences, voices have been raised about decreasing mental health. [1] The introduction of social distancing measures and lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19 led to a sudden change of routine, a drastic change of the physical and social environment (e.g., reduced social contacts and connection), a change of working conditions and economic losses, all are known to be important drivers for mental health and mental disorders