Impact Goals of PsyConnect

Numerous studies, such as the HBSC survey 2021/2022, Czernin et al 2023, OECD 2022, etc., show that young people from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds in particular have an increased risk of mental stress and illness, while access to psychosocial support is often difficult at the same time.

"PsyConnect" therefore focuses on prevention, education, participation and inclusion measures.

FORSAR is supporting the project as a scientific partner, which is being funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) from March 25 to February 27.

The collaboration between FORSAR and ÖJRK pursues an impact-oriented and participatory approach and is divided into four work packages that build on each other:

1. Problem analysis: identification of relevant stakeholders, analysis of existing support services and an in-depth examination of the Social Work mechanisms of poverty and their influence on the mental health of young people. This step is supplemented by narrative interviews with young people.
2. Idea generation support: Development of initial impact-orientated solutions based on empirical findings and implementation of several workshops to promote skills in impact-orientated project planning.
3. Support in selecting ideas: Systematic evaluation and prioritisation of the ideas developed in terms of effectiveness, feasibility and sustainability; selection of suitable pilot projects.
4. Development support: Elaboration and testing of a feasible prototype for the promotion of psychosocial health; monitoring, evaluation and scaling of successful approaches.

• Analysing the links between poverty and the mental health of young people: The aim is to develop a deeper understanding of how socio-economic disadvantage influences the psychosocial health of young people - particularly with regard to structural barriers to accessing support services.
• Survey of needs and perspectives of affected young people: Qualitative interviews with young people at risk of exclusion will be used to record and analyse subjective experiences, needs and obstacles in dealing with psychosocial challenges.
• Development of impact-orientated intervention approaches: Based on the results of the analysis, preventive measures to promote psychosocial health that are social space-related and address the living environment of the target group are to be designed.
• Testing and evaluating innovative health promotion measures: The aim is to systematically evaluate initial ideas and to test and further develop pilot measures for their feasibility, impact and sustainability.
• Development and evaluation of a prototype for practical application: The research accompanies the development of a concrete prototype that can serve as a scalable model for other regions or target groups. An iterative development process is scientifically supported with monitoring and evaluation instruments.
• Promotion of impact competence in the ÖRK/ÖJRK Project Team: Workshops and methodological support will be used to build competences for impact-oriented planning, implementation and reflection in the area of practice.