Establishing a Mental Health Surveillance in Germany: Development of a framework concept and indicator set

Julia Thom; Elvira Mauz; Diana Peitz; Christina Kersjes; Marion Aichberger; Harald Baumeister; Anke Bramesfeld; Jurand Daszkowski; Theresa Eichhorn; Wolfgang Gaebel; Martin Härter; Frank Jacobi; Joseph Kuhn; Jutta Lindert; Jürgen Margraf; Hanne Melchior; Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg; Angelika Nebe; Heather Orpana; Judith Peth; Ulrich Reininghaus; Steffi Riedel-Heller; Uwe Rose; Georg Schomerus; Daniela Schuler; Ursula von Rüden; Heike Hölling

doi:10.25646/8861

Establishing a Mental Health Surveillance in Germany: Development of a framework concept and indicator set

J Health Monit. 2021 Dec 8;6(4):34-63. doi: 10.25646/8861. eCollection 2021 Dec.

Authors

Julia Thom¹, Elvira Mauz¹, Diana Peitz¹, Christina Kersjes¹, Marion Aichberger², Harald Baumeister³, Anke Bramesfeld^{4

5}, Jurand Daszkowski⁶, Theresa Eichhorn⁷, Wolfgang Gaebel⁸, Martin Härter^{9

10}, Frank Jacobi¹¹, Joseph Kuhn¹², Jutta Lindert^{13

14}, Jürgen Margraf¹⁵, Hanne Melchior¹⁶, Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg^{17

18}, Angelika Nebe¹⁹, Heather Orpana²⁰, Judith Peth⁹, Ulrich Reininghaus¹⁷, Steffi Riedel-Heller^{21

18}, Uwe Rose²², Georg Schomerus²³, Daniela Schuler²⁴, Ursula von Rüden²⁵, Heike Hölling¹

Affiliations

¹ Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring.
² Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin.
³ University of Ulm, Institute of Psychology and Education, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy.
⁴ Ministry for Social Affairs, Health and Equal Opportunities of Lower Saxony.
⁵ Hannover Medical School (MHH), Institute for Epidemiology, Social Medicine and Health System Research.
⁶ Federal Association of Psychiatry Experienced.
⁷ Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists in Germany.
⁸ WHO Collaborating Centre DEU-131; Rhineland Regional Council (LVR) - Klinikum Düsseldorf, Kliniken der Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf.
⁹ University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department of Medical Psychology.
¹⁰ German Network Health Services Research.
¹¹ Psychologische Hochschule Berlin, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy.
¹² Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority.
¹³ University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer.
¹⁴ European Public Health Association, Section Public Mental Health.
¹⁵ Ruhr-University Bochum, Mental Health Research and Treatment Center.
¹⁶ National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.
¹⁷ Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Universität Heidelberg.
¹⁸ German Association for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics e.V.
¹⁹ Federation of German Pension Insurance Institutions.
²⁰ Public Health Agency Canada.
²¹ University of Leipzig, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health.
²² Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
²³ University of Leipzig, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy.
²⁴ Swiss Health Observatory (OBSAN).
²⁵ Federal Centre for Health Education.

PMID: 35146320
PMCID: PMC8734140
DOI: 10.25646/8861

Abstract

In the course of the recognition of mental health as an essential component of population health, the Robert Koch Institute has begun developing a Mental Health Surveillance (MHS) system for Germany. MHS aims to continuously report data for relevant mental health indicators, thus creating a basis for evidence-based planning and evaluation of public health measures. In order to develop a set of indicators for the adult population, potential indicators were identified through a systematic literature review and selected in a consensus process by international and national experts and stakeholders. The final set comprises 60 indicators which, together, represent a multidimensional public health framework for mental health across four fields of action. For the fifth field of action 'Mental health promotion and prevention' indicators still need to be developed. The methodology piloted proved to be practicable. Strengths and limitations will be discussed regarding the search and definition of indicators, the scope of the indicator set as well as the participatory decision-making process. Next steps in setting up the MHS will be the operationalisation of the single indicators and their extension to also cover children and adolescents. Given assured data availability, the MHS will contribute to broadening our knowledge on population mental health, supporting a targeted promotion of mental health and reducing the disease burden in persons with mental disorders.

Keywords: INDICATOR; MENTAL DISORDERS; MENTAL HEALTH; PUBLIC HEALTH; SURVEILLANCE.

Grants and funding

The project Establishment of a national Mental Health Surveillance at the RKI (MHS) receives funding from the Federal Ministry of Health (chapter 1504, title 54401, duration 03/2019-12/2021).