The aim of EPREMED is to qualitatively and quantitatively improve mental health policy practices and potential in Europe. This is to be achieved by assuring the maximum impact of the recently completed ESEMeD/MHEDEA and other related European studies through analyses, data synthesis and translation, and effective dissemination to the relevant stakeholders. By formal evaluation of the dissemination and through provision of training and mobility, the project aims to help to consolidate a multidisciplinary community better able to address mental health policy information research in Europe. EPREMED builds on a previous successful research collaboration, focuses on the crucial area of mental health (disorders prevalence and burden; risk factors including poverty, immigration and religion; and services utilisation, with emphasis on unmet need for care). This aims to fill a gap in evidence-based European policy making and to feed another PHP project: Euro Health Expectancy Monitoring Unit -EHEMU. Co-ordination with other relevant activities, in particular those under the Public Health Programme, and with the Working Party on Mental Health to be assured.

Health information strand. Improving information and knowledge for the development of public health. Operating the health information and knowledge system.
The importance of mental health as a resource which can be promoted and of mental disorders as a major source of disease are increasingly recognised in the world. But population-based knowledge about the status of mental health, the prevalence and distribution of mental disorders, their determinants and their social and economic consequences across the life course and the possibilities to prevent them is still limited in Europe. Consequently, mental health policy information research is insufficiently based on the most accurate and up-to-date scientific evidence. The aim of this proposal is to improve the understanding of mental health burden, determinants, services needs, as well as to increase and improve the practices and potential of mental health policy information research in Europe.

Main data source is ESEMeD/MHEDEA survey. A data analysis plan and key policy questions to be identified. Survey analysis methods appropriate to complex, two-phase designs to be used. Synthetic analysis to be applied to data including secondary analyses with other studies to produce synthetic estimates of key indicators, including health expectancy estimates. A Policy Report and Scientific manuscripts to be produced. Dissemination activities to address specified audiences with methodologies such as graphical systems to map the priorities and internet web sites. To enhance the effectiveness and assess the impact of dissemination activities, an evaluation is planned and performed from the project start, including: formative, impact, outcome and process evaluation. Results should inform future initiatives. Althoug a major effort, EPREMED involves low risk since data have already been collected and partners know them well

Work package n° 1 - Coordination and management; Work package n° 2 - In-depth analyses of the ESEMeD/MHEDEA; Work package n° 3 - Data integration and synthesis; Work package n° 4 - Dissemination of results; Work package n° 5 - Evaluation of dissemination activities; Work package n° 6 - Training and mobility of researchers