Management
The "Competence Area Prevention of Mental Health" is one of five competence areas of the Baden-Württemberg Preventive Medicine Competence Network, which is funded by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts and deals with currently important fields of action for prevention research.
The aim of the Ulm competence area is to prevent and reduce impairments to participation caused by mental illness - for example in social life or on the labour market.
The main focus of the Prevention of Mental Health competence centre is to develop a sustainable prevention strategy based on individual, interlinked components. The strategic focus is orientated towards the acquisition of third-party funding for further research, dissemination and model projects as well as the establishment of a stable and visible network in the field of mental health.
In terms of content, the department is primarily concerned with risk factors for the mental health of children, adolescents and young people as well as the effects of current events on them. This includes a focus on crises such as the coronavirus pandemic, the war in Ukraine, climate change and other climate disasters. Another thematic focus is on stressful childhood experiences, the so-called "Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)". Methodologically, representative surveys on mental health and participatory research projects to derive prevention approaches are carried out. A central activity of the Mental Health Prevention competence area is also the dissemination of knowledge in the field of mental health at population and professional level.
A further funding period will enable the already established structures of the Baden-Württemberg Preventive Medicine Competence Network to be used effectively to further develop prevention in the field of mental health in Baden-Württemberg on a scientifically sound basis and to respond promptly to prevention needs.
Emily Gossmann is responsible for the scientific coordination of the Preventive Mental Health competence area and the overall management of the competence area lies with the Medical Director of the clinic, Prof Jörg M. Fegert.