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Background: The objective of this study (registered under number 2020 006) was to assess the internal consistency of the revised Mental Health Professional Culture Inventory (MHPCI) scale, which comprises 15 items, among mental health service workers in Romania.

Background/Objectives: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) significantly affects mental health, with gender-specific differences being observed in psychological responses. This pilot study aimed to explore these differences in the demographic, clinical, psychological, psychiatric, and social profile of patients diagnosed with IHD. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used, recruiting 183 adult patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease and depression at the Psychiatry Department of Arad County Emergency Hospital, Romania, between May 2021 and May 2024. Data were collected using a self-developed tool, named the Depression Assessment in Ischemic Heart Disease Questionnaire (DA-IHDQ), alongside standardized assessments. Statistical analysis was performed using JASP statistical software (Version 0.19.1, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands), employing binomial and multinomial tests for categorical data, and Cronbach's alpha was used to assess internal consistency. Results: This study found significant demographic differences, with female patients exhibiting higher levels of emotional distress and severe depression compared with the male subjects. Women reported greater social isolation and a stronger desire to seek for psychological or psychiatric support. Furthermore, a positive correlation between depression severity and physical symptoms was observed in both genders. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of recognizing gender-specific responses to IHD, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions in mental healthcare and cardiac rehabilitation. Future research should further explore these differences to enhance the understanding of the psychosocial/psychiatric aspects of IHD and improve patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nowadays, obesity has become a public health problem that requires a multidisciplinary approach in prevention and therapy. In this context, the research aims to highlight some aspects that can be used in the management of obesity prevention, starting from personal motivation as a determining factor of individuals' behaviors. Material and methods: The objective of this study was to apply, using a pioneering method, the previously existing instrument "Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II" among students within the field of social sciences from Romanian universities (496 respondents). The statistical program used for the analysis of the results was SPSS statistics v26. Results: The results revealed correlations between the Body Mass Index profile of respondents, their motivation, nutritional habits, adoption of a healthy lifestyle, and participation in health courses. Conclusions: The study provided conclusions supported by the results, as well as implications for practice. Statistically, the newly constructed concept of motivation was found to be related to the overall score of healthy lifestyle and nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How to draw up an inventory of the digital skills of the social work student community? Are digital skills sufficient to articulate the digital tool with the environment of professional support for beneficiaries? The challenges faced by social work profes‑ sionals due to the digitalization of European society lead to the need to reflect on social work education in the face of this reality. Then, how should student communities be trained to best prepare for their future professions? Establishing a diagnosis of their digital skills, which are based on the prescriptions and values of social work, is an intellectual output of the European DLSI project, Digital Learning Social Intervention (2021‑2024). This project brings together six partners from five European countries: Belgium, France, Greece, Luxembourg, and Romania. It is co‑financed by ERASMUS+ “Strategic Partnership”. This article proposes a conceptual and methodological framework for developing a “Digital (fr) agility Index” useful for teaching and continuing education in the field of social work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article takes stock of the research work carried out in Europe over the period 2020-2022 by a multidisciplinary consortium of specialists in psychiatry and mental health that brings together university research laboratories, psychiatric hospitals, universities, and training centers. Our work focuses on the difficulties encountered by care and psycho-social support professionals during the COVID-19 period. These difficulties are individual and organizational to ensure a service of accompaniment and follow-up of psychiatric users. What synthesis can we achieve of our successes, our failures, our limitations, and for which avenues of work for the future? After presenting the methodological protocol, we conduct a self-critical reflection of the achievements in 3 main axes of analysis: 1. Evolution of working conditions in a context of uncertainty, 2. Organizational dimensions and hindered care, 3. Digital technologies. From these results emerges a set of controversies and ethical questions relating to the legitimacy of remote care, confidentiality and protection of personal data, and equity in access to care. It appears that the professional practices deployed during the COVID-19 health crisis question the way in which the organization of care and social support integrate the possibilities offered by digital applications. They are about promoting the autonomy and empowerment of mental health service users and professionals. From this perspective, the extension of this work develops a forward-looking approach included in Community digitization policies for new European projects. It appears necessary to carry out multidisciplinary in-depth work, by 2030 on hospital psychiatry and "outside the walls", the care pathway of the user, social support, digitalization, data management, and the training of professionals in technological changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health is the most important component of human life, and mental health even more so; the quality of mental health depends on the way individuals understand social relationships, manage to integrate in the family, in the group of friends, in the community, in social life. The European project KA202 - Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training (Empow'Them) aims to develop an innovative methodology, which offers continuous, non-disruptive, free training addressed to all professionals. The project is a plea for the important role of self-determination in the recovery and reintegration of people suffering from various mental illnesses. This idea is in line with the Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020 (WHO, 2013) and the European Commission Green Paper of 2005, which states that self-determination and empowerment of people with mental disorders are fundamental concepts in mental health to improve social inclusion. Self-determination is seen to act as a catalyst for beneficiaries' ability to make decisions about their own lives, remobilize, take responsibility for their choices and become full citizens, regardless of the severity of the illness. The project represents a reflection, search and implementation of viable solutions to support people in a vulnerable moment of their lives. The "Empow'Them" project is consistent with the actions supported by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN, 2008), as it aims to contribute to the respect and dignity of people affected by mental illness through professional practices that support their individual freedom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for health education and prevention is a relevant and up-to-date topic, “it is the moment of the evolution of society” through the “change of traditionalism”, and the inclusion of the basic notions of pro-health behaviors must “be a priority of social policy” (Firică, 2017,280-281). In the preface of its Statute, the World Health Organization (WHO) stipulated that “The health of all peoples is fundamental to the attainment of peace and security” and “The achievement of any State in the promotion and protection of health is of value to all” (Constitution of the WHO, 1946). Prevention cannot be limited only to the medical aspect or the therapeutic act, but extends beyond these boundaries, to sociology, anthropology, psychology, nutrition and physical activity, human behavior, religion, level of culture, etc. Prevention and education through prevention help us control genetic factors as “they can be compensated” by a deepening of the study of environmental factors, which can influence our “physical health, emotions... but also the social life”, of the lifestyle characterized by attitudes, habits, behaviors, and a better knowledge of the risk factors that lead to illness, but also of the factors responsible for maintaining the state of health and modifying non-healthy behaviors, all these aspects being essential to the life and health of the individual (Cazacu, 2017, 3). Research methodology: The research method consists of a review of the literature on the role of Medical Sociology in the historical evolution of education for health and prevention in society. Results: The research results highlight the importance of extending the areas of social education for health and prophylaxis over medical schools and the implications of social schools in this step. Conclusions: To expand the area of social education for health and prevention, we need to open this field of education for specialists in the social field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uncertainty, transition, revolution? How, in 10 years, do European policies for the development of digital technologies gradually affect the daily lives of all citizens, including the most socially vulnerable? What are the consequences on social innovation, training, and qualifications required in the professions of social engineering and social work? This article is inspired by the State-of-play of policies and the development of digitalization in Europe developed as part of the DLSI project, Digital Learning in Social Intervention (2021-2024). Co-financed by Erasmus+, a program of the European Union, the DLSI project brings together a consortium of social engineering specialists and social workers, training institutes, university research and professional structures, from 5 partner countries: France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Romania, and Greece. After presenting the situation in Europe, the article focuses on these 5 countries, then on France to show that a good level of infrastructure is not enough to guarantee access to digital solutions for the entire population in an egalitarian way. It proposes an analysis in terms of challenges so that the social workers who accompany the fight against the digital divide can face the new stakes posed by the dematerialization of services and administrative procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The Covid-19 health crisis has disrupted the organization and functioning of European mental health and psychiatric services, impacting the working conditions -- already difficult before the epidemic -- of professionals working therein. The Psy-GIPO2C project investigated the impact of the pandemic on these professionals. The Psy-GIPOC2C project has been co-funded by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche française (ANR, French National Research Agency) and the Centre-Val de Loire region (France). Method: This research took the form of a collaborative mixed methods study. The data collected through qualitative and quantitative research were analyzed during a working session held by the research consortium, which resulted in the formulation of recommendations for action to optimize the occupational health of European mental health professionals. Results: This research made it possible to identify and explain the extent to which, and the ways in which, the reorganization of European mental health services has impacted the mental health of the professionals working therein, and, in particular, to highlight the fact that the unprecedented use of digital devices has generated stress, and even tension, within these services. Conclusions: It is important to promote well-being at work among European mental health professionals, by involving them in the development of ad hoc measures (in addition to the existing psychological support measures available) to enable them to recharge their batteries. It is also important to support current and future professionals in their appropriation of digital tools for professional use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is a theoretical analysis of public health indicators in Romanian community psychiatry. It aims to highlight the current needs and the role of social workers for highly vulnerable groups. The research method consists of a theoretical analysis of psychiatric health indicators in Romania, over two decades, compared to the European situation. The results conclude the necessity for a unitary European policy in psychiatry. They also show an increased need for social support. The role of social workers is essential in reducing psychiatric disability and favoring social inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early education is a topical challenge through the increased social needs of the parent community. In this context, policies for social and cultural progress, and legislative measures should support demographic and cultural development in terms of family and work. The Romanian Ministry of National Education has made efforts to support the training of staff specialized in preschool education, by adapting, perfecting, and creating a new curriculum in early education under the financial support of the project Inclusive and Qualitative Early Education (ETIC - Educație Timpurie Incluzivă și de Calitate), co-financed by the European Social Fund through the Human Capital Operational Program 2014-2020, SMIS code 128215. This project is ongoing at the national level through the concerted efforts of the Ministry of Education, universities, and county school inspectorates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People who suffer from psychiatric disabilities due to various causes face a variety of barriers to an acceptable quality of life. Studies confirm that all the problems they face are also due to the lack of personal empowerment in their lives. The concepts of self-empowerment and self-control are not yet widespread in the public mental health system, although from a legal, constitutional point of view, civil rights include full freedom and autonomy over one's own treatment. Aim of research: This article aims to focus on the need to implement the theory of selfempowerment among specialists working with people suffering from mental disorders. This would help them acquire skills that could lead them to breaking down major barriers inpersonal empowerment, with potential relevance to beneficiaries.This way, the self- empowerment and self-control of beneficiaries could be implemented both within and outside of mental health systems. Methodology of research: consists of building a questionnaire with open-ended questions. It assesses the domains of competencesthat must be acquired by accompanying specialists in self-empowerment. The questionnaire is based on the data obtained from a scientific review of the needs of the beneficiaries, resulting from the application of the Self-determination Theory in the specialized studies carried out over the past 10 years. Results of research: are to establish the areas of competence necessary for the accompanying specialists in self-empowerment. These evaluated areas will form the basis for the construction of course modules for the training of specialists in personal empowerment. Conclusions: The skills acquired by specialists from the self-empowerment course will help them accompany people with mental health (MH) problems. Specialists will teach beneficiaries how to become independent and acquire the capacity of selfmanagement of their own lives, by increasing intrinsic motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of research: Starting from the scientifically proven fact that hygiene measures are prophylactic factors in transmitting covid-19 infection, we wanted to improve the level of theoretical and practical knowledge of future specialists in social and medical sciences, to prevent pandemics. In this regard, a workshop was organized at the beginning of March 2020, in the context of the International Day of Social Work. The workshop's elements of novelty could be seed in the rapid thematic adoption of education for individual and community health, in the context of Covid-19, as well as in its particular organizational elements, specific to the epidemiological context in which it was carried out. It aimed to raise awareness of the importance of specialists' hygiene, in the process of stopping the pandemic. The research method is empirical, based on a qualitative thematic analysis. Continuous professional education was achieved through research instruments: practical experimental case study, observation and participation in the workshop, under the supervision of a trainer. The research sample consists of a group of over 30 health specialists and students from different social and medical specialities. Research results: The opinion of the specialists from the study group, who participated in the demonstration workshop, shows that practical learning through exemplification and exercises, based on previously known theoretical notions, form and strengthen professional skills. Conclusions: This report was written in the scientific perspective of professional education classes, which improve specialists' awareness of the role of proper personal hygiene in an epidemic context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral health education is a part of human health education. Education for health is essential for a healthy behaviour. According to the World Health Organization's concept of health, a healthy behaviour must be a normality for an educated life, and the level of health is a measure of qualitative life.Access to educational health services is important for good oral health. Health is a fundamental human right (W.H.O., 2002). This paper is a short review of the methods and techniques of oral health education and of the practical possibilities that can improve the level of general health knowledge. To this purpose, we propose a Model of health education lesson for adults. It can be used as a general model in continuous professional health education. Conclusion: Oral health education can be achieved through different techniques and methods, included in the universal approach of education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health is a basic human right for all children. Children have the right to grow up healthy and to receive education regarding a healthy behavior. According to the World Health Organization's concept of health, a healthy and educated life is a qualitative life. Children's right to health consists of three different aspects: cultural, social and economic rights. The right to benefit from health services is regulated by a few international conventions, such as: 'Universal Declaration of Human Rights', 'International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights', 'Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities' (O.N.U, 1991). Access to optimum health services is necessary for good health. Health is a fundamental right for all categories of children, including children with special needs (W.H.O., 2001). This paper analyses the importance of children's right to health and the practical possibilities to improve the accessibility and addressability of children to medical health services. Conclusion: Children's health can be seen as a bio-psycho-social whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contemporary reality of the 21st century requires new international competencies and skills at the workplace, in the field of mental health (Binkley et al., 2012, Delors et al., 1996, Gordon et al., 2009, Lippman et al., 2015). The aim of the research is to analyse the practice of specialists and their questions regarding competencies in mental health network, to show how educational systems can succeed in integrating teaching and assessing skills from both the technical part (e-medical file) and clinical practice, in the international courses. The analysis of specialized literature is corroborated with our five years of experience in Erasmus+ mobility projects. The experience-based results aim to raise questions in the sphere of education policies, with the purpose of improving them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major changes in mental health epidemiology and the new therapeutic approaches, including information and computer technology are major challenges for the organisations involved but also for a political public health strategy. Mental health care is based on the interpersonal competences of the professionals. Research shows early retirement of the staff and a decrease of motivation after some years of everyday work. The quality of work life balance is of the most importance for the professionals dealing with mental health patients and users. The academic cursus does not correspond to the fast moving changes. So it is compulsory that all professionals can benefit from practical and lifelong training. The shortage of qualified professionals is obvious for any mental health employer. A high level of stress and career burnout is extensively documented in researches and the early retirement of professionals causes a difficulty for the transmission of knowledge. Due to the gap between competencies of the young professionals and new trends in mental health, this project was of huge interest in the public health sector. This gap was the starting point for the consortium for building the TuTo project in 2013. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Santé Publique, Santé Mentale, Employabilité en Europe (SPSM), is a European Project developed by francophone countries in: 2014-2017. Through the project, training modules for professionals have been built. The aim of the research is to present the methodologies employed to construct evaluation questionnaires, and the methods used to built statistical grids in SPSM Erasmus+ Project. Research methods: the evaluation of the SPSM Project was realized after the construction of Knowledge Assessment Questionnaire for Occupational Insertion Professionals for people with chronic mental diseases, and the other one is: Project Management Assessment Grid. First scale is a questionnaire comprising 24 items. It assesses the level of knowledge before and after the training module (Pilot Seminar). This procedure allows us to compare groups of items. The results are 2 questionnaires applied in the project assessment. The obtained results have enabled professionals to improve their skills through better course content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of research is to continuing research on the effect of Apilarnil, and to show in this paper, the results of a research about how the treatment with Apilarnil influence some aspects of getting a job and the social networking in young adults. The research was done in two comparative groups of graduates with and without treatment with Apilarnil which were presented at getting a job interview in their field of competencies. The comparative results of the two groups, statistical processing and their interpretation from psychological perspective are presented. The data has been processed with SPSS20 Program, and the results are statistically significant. Conclusion: Apilarnil proves its usefulness in improving the aspects related to sustaining an interview in order to get a job as: verbal fluency, self confidence and ability to social networking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of research is to identify the personal needs and psycho-social expectancies of people with mental chronic disorders regarding professional insertion. It has been considered that this pilot study can give an overview of the results that may be obtained on larger samples. It can also help with building and implementing appropriate intervention projects for better employability of this group of subjects. Methodology consists in analysis of personal needs of beneficiary through collecting data with two general expectancies assesment questionnaires: Personal Expectances Assessment Questionnaire (P-EQ), and Professional Integration Counseling Expectancies Assessment Questionnaire (PICEQ). The research is conducted on three areas: personal, relational and professional, with 17 items. There were two partially validated hypotheses. The data has been processed with SPSS Program V20, and the results are statistically significant. Subjects give an increased importance to the personal domain, and on second place is situated the relational field. Preliminary results from the group of subjects diagnosed with chronic psychoses, allow us to estimate the results that will be obtained on larger groups of subjects. At the same time, these results are useful in order to initiate, in parallel, the building of specific interventional programs for patients with this type of diagnostic, for a better occupational insertion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crises have effects on the qualifications and contents of training programmes. The vocational crisis in the mental health sector offers an opportunity to reactivate the European initiative in the form of cooperative exchanges. Financed by the European "Erasmus+, Strategic Projects" programme, TuTo (2014-2017) is a European tutoring programme addressed to young psychiatric and mental health professionals. It is widely recognised that, in Northern and Western Europe, the human resources of these activity sectors are facing a shortage of practitioners, nurses, psychologists and psychiatrists. In light of the age pyramid, which is narrow at the base and quite broad at its apex, there is no guarantee that experiences are being adequately passed on to the younger generation. The TuTo project is supported by the expertise of partners from 6 European countries: Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Greece and Luxembourg. The partners are psychosocial facilities, psychiatric hospitals, training and research centres as well as university departments. Methods: Midway through, the project is being evaluated in both its qualitative and quantitative dimensions. Integrating the major health promotion principles of the Ottawa Charter (WHO- 1986), the evaluation grid for tutoring actions makes it possible to jointly develop the six quality criteria and indicators: 1- the public, 2- the partnership, 3- the information, 4- the implementation, 5- the human resources, 6- the follow-up. Outcomes: The interim evaluation of the project furnishes numerical and qualitative elements. The tutoring process mutualises university education and practical training (contacts between professionals and users). The Ottawa Charter advocates a global approach to health in the community. Discussion: The mid-term evaluation highlights areas of adjustment in order to federate the partners around a common vision based on the principles of the Ottawa Charter; with the effects of the psychiatric reform in Europe, the "host institutions" must further develop the contacts with professionals outside the hospital, in order to construct a multisectoral approach that is open to the city and its realities. It is essential to train young professionals in the care and social sector so as to decompartmentalise therapeutic activities and those of mental health prevention and promotion for a modern public mental health system that can deal with the vocational crises in an increasingly complex economic context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the first week of March, 2016, at a round table in the location 'Aurel Vlaicu' University of Arad, Romania, there was a conference of specialists involved in the project Insertion Employment of Persons with Mental Disorders (SPSM - Employabilité).Under this innovative research project, to improve the employability of people with mental disabilities, came together: researchers, professors, doctors, psychologists, responsible for public health and social workers from the five participating countries: Romania, Luxembourg, Switzerland, France and Belgium.During the three days of work, the next program was done: - The debriefing of the previous transnational meetings and the deepening of the competence referential, producted after previous meetings; - Work of the Steering Committee and focus group with professionals and guests (collective and transversal needs).We have analyzed and have concluded the steps of the training program for employment specialists as they were set by the project team meeting in Arad. The training of specialists in employment of people with mental disorders will be run in the next stage of the project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The Covid-19 health crisis has disrupted the organization and functioning of European mental health and psychiatric services, impacting the working conditions - already difficult before the epidemic - of professionals working therein. The Psy-GIPO2C project investigated the impact of the pandemic on these professionals. The Psy-GIPOC2C project has been co-funded by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche française (ANR, French National Research Agency) and the Centre-Val de Loire region (France)., Method: This research took the form of a collaborative mixed methods study. The data collected through qualitative and quantitative research were analyzed during a working session held by the research consortium, which resulted in the formulation of recommendations for action to optimize the occupational health of European mental health professionals., Results: This research made it possible to identify and explain the extent to which, and the ways in which, the reorganization of European mental health services has impacted the mental health of the professionals working therein, and, in particular, to highlight the fact that the unprecedented use of digital devices has generated stress, and even tension, within these services., Conclusions: It is important to promote well-being at work among European mental health professionals, by involving them in the development of ad hoc measures (in addition to the existing psychological support measures available) to enable them to recharge their batteries. It is also important to support current and future professionals in their appropriation of digital tools for professional use., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None., (© 2022 Giovanni Fioriti Editore s.r.l.)