Impact targets of PsyConnect

Numerous studies, such as the HBSC survey 2021/2022, Czernin et al 2023, OECD 2022, etc., show that especially young people from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds 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 accompanying the project as a scientific partner.

The project is funded by the Österreichische Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft (national funding agency) (FFG) from March 25 to February 27.

The cooperation 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 in-depth examination of the social mechanisms of poverty and their influence on the mental health of young people. This step is supplemented by narrative interviews with young people.
2. Support in finding ideas: Development of initial impact-oriented solutions based on the empirical findings and implementation of several workshops to promote skills in impact-oriented project planning.
3. Support in selecting ideas: Systematic evaluation and prioritization of the ideas developed in terms of effectiveness, feasibility and sustainability; selection of suitable pilot projects.
4. Development support: Development and testing of an implementable prototype to promote psychosocial health; monitoring, evaluation and scaling of successful approaches.

• Analysis of the links between poverty and the mental health of young people: The aim is to develop a deeper understanding of how socio-economic disadvantage affects young people's psychosocial health - particularly with regard to structural barriers to accessing support services.
• Survey of the needs and perspectives of young people affected: Qualitative interviews with young people at risk of exclusion will be used to record and evaluate subjective experiences, needs and obstacles in dealing with psychosocial challenges.
• Development of impact-oriented intervention approaches: Based on the results of the analysis, social space-related, preventive measures to promote psychosocial health are to be developed that address the living environment of the target group. • 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 use: 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: Through workshops and methodological support, competencies for impact-oriented planning, implementation and reflection in the practical field are to be developed.