WHO_request for nominations

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L'EUROPE WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО WHO’s 3rd Autumn School on Quality of child and adolescent Mental Health care Online: 26th October & 7th December 2026 [March 2026] In person, Athens, Greece: 2-5 November 2026 Original: English Draft Brochure 1. Contents 1. Contents............................................................................................................................................................... 1 2. Background ......................................................................................................................................................... 2 3. Course Details ..................................................................................................................................................... 2 4. Why a course in Quality of child and adolescent Mental Health?....................................................................... 2 5. WHO Regional Office for Europe’s work to strengthen the quality of child and youth mental health care ....... 3 6. What will participants gain from attending the Autumn School in Quality of Child and Adolescent Mental Health? .......................................................................................................................................................................... 4 7. Overview of the Programme ............................................................................................................................... 4 8. Draft Programme ................................................................................................................................................. 5  Draft Programme Page 2 2. Background Mental health is a priority of the WHO’s European Programme of Work 2, 2026–2030 (EPW2) and an essential component of living and ageing in good health, and to turn the tide on NCDs and mental health. Improving mental health for children and adolescents is one of the key objectives of the WHO/UNICEF strategy for the health and well-being of children and adolescents in the European Region (2026-2030), and includes a focus on strengthening the quality of care for this population. The Athens Office on Quality of Care was established in April 2021, with a vision to decisively improve the quality of care and patient safety, inspired by the EPW. In collaboration with the Government of Greece, the WHO Athens Office on Quality of Care launched a European Programme on the Quality of Mental Health Care for Children and Adolescents in March 2022. The WHO Athens Office on Quality of Care is developing comprehensive training programs and courses tailored to quality of care and patient safety. The WHO Athens Office on Quality of Care in collaboration with WHO European Mental Health and Well-being team will host the third WHO European Autumn School on Quality of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Care. This innovative initiative aims to advance knowledge and proficiency in the realm of child and adolescent mental health care quality. The Autumn School will use a mixture of interactive learning methods: small group problem-based learning, expert speakers, case studies and information sharing. This is to ensure that opportunities for learning and applying skills is maximized. 3. Course Details  Duration and format: o 26th October: pre course briefing (90 minutes, online) o 2-5 November: in person intensive workshops in Athens, Greece (all day) o 7th December: post course follow up (90 minutes, online)  Language: English  Participants: The Autumn School aims to engage early career professionals working on mental health in Ministries of Health.  Program outline: an in-depth interactive exploration of advancements in child and adolescent mental health quality, including an introduction to quality of care, strategies to improve quality of child and adolescent mental health care and problem solving joint challenges. 4. Why a course in Quality of child and adolescent Mental Health? Strengthening the quality of child and adolescent mental health is a priority across the WHO European Region1. Across the Region, over one in five adolescents aged 15-19 years old live with a mental health condition, suicide is the leading cause of death for young people aged 15-29 years old, and the number of 1 Hall, Lazeri, Breda & Azzopardi-Muscat (2026) Applying a quality of care lens to strengthening WHO European Region child and youth mental health services. Lancet Psychiatry.  Draft Programme Page 3 children and young people living with mental health conditions has increased by a third over the past 15 years. Emerging issues include an increase in problematic gaming, social media use and vaping 2. Despite this evidence, countries across the WHO European Region are not well equipped to respond to the mental health needs of children and adolescents. One in five countries lacks a policy or plan for child and adolescent mental health. Existing data shows high variability and inconsistences in the number, type and use of child and adolescent mental health services across the Region, and the workforce is not sufficient to meet the population’s needs1. Hence it is not surprising that the majority of children and adolescents requiring support do not receive it. Not receiving timely mental health care can have negative ongoing consequences for the individual throughout their lives, impacting on their families and wider communities. Quality of mental health care is “a measure of whether services increase the likelihood of desired mental health outcomes and are consistent with current evidence-based practice”3. Quality health services should be effective, safe, people-centered, timely, equitable, integrated and efficient4. In child and youth mental health care, there remains a lack of standardized information, limited scientific evidence, lack of provider training and support and cultural barriers to integrating mental health care within general health environments5. The onus to solve complex challenges and strengthen the quality of care often falls on health leaders and clinicians. To strengthen quality of child and youth mental health care, it is essential to engage with and support leaders through targeted capacity building initiatives6.Hence WHO aims to support health leaders and clinicians working in child and adolescent mental health to strengthen the quality of care through this Autumn School. 5. WHO Regional Office for Europe’s work to strengthen the quality of child and youth mental health care In response to Member State requests, WHO Regional Office for Europe has developed a suite of resources to support with the strengthening of child and adolescent mental health care: - Child and youth mental health in the WHO European Region, a report which collates the existing data at a systems level, and uses this to make recommendations to strengthen quality of care. - A tool to map multi sectoral systems and services for child and youth mental health, which takes a whole of system approach to identify services and areas for quality strengthening. - The first WHO Quality Standards for child and youth mental health services, to support with assessment and strengthening of care quality at a service level. - WHO Audit tool to strengthen quality of child and youth mental health services, to support the implementation of the quality standards. - Youth engaged for mental health outlines WHO’s approach to youth participation. 2 Child and youth mental health in the WHO European Region (2025) Copenhagen. Accessed from: Child and youth mental health in the WHO European Region: status and actions to strengthen the quality of care 3 WHO (2003) Quality improvement for mental health. Geneva, World Health Organization (Mental health policy and Service Guidance Package). 4 WHO (2023) Quality of care overview, accessed online 28th February 2023 from Quality of care (who.int) 5 Kilbourne et al (2018) Measuring and improving the quality of mental health care: a global perspective. World Psychiatry. 17(1), 30-38. 6 Hall et al. (2026) Leadership matters: a systems approach to strengthening the quality of child and youth mental health care. European Journal of Public Health.  Draft Programme Page 4 6. What will participants gain from attending the Autumn School in Quality of Child and Adolescent Mental Health? The aims of The Autumn School on quality of child and adolescent mental health are three fold: 1. To equip participants with technical knowledge and understanding to improve quality of child and adolescent mental health care. Attendees will be supported to understand theories and concepts related to quality of care, to learn about WHO’s tools and products to strengthen the quality of child and adolescent mental health care and practical information on how to implement initiatives to strengthen the quality of care. 2. To support the development of shared learning through joint problem solving, small group discussions and activities to increase psychological safety. 3. To support the application of theory to practice through the opportunity to apply the learning to their own context, sharing of case examples and jointly considering shared challenges. 7. Overview of the Programme Pre- course briefing (90 minutes online, 26 October): will provide an introduction to the course aims and structure, prepare participants for the small group learning activities and will introduce WHO’s landmark report and data on child and youth mental health in the WHO European Region. o 26th October: pre course briefing (90 minutes, online) o 2-5 November: in person intensive workshops in Athens, Greece (all day) o 7th December: post course follow up (90 minutes, online) In person intensive workshops (Athens 2-5 November) Day 1 provides an introduction to quality of care theories and practices, including how to take a systems approach to strengthening care quality and introduction to the quality strengthening cycle. WHO’s mapping tool to strengthen quality of child and youth mental health systems will be presented alongside case studies of its implementation from across the Region. Participants will then be given opportunity to consider how these theories can be applied in their own context. Day 2 will focus on the action of quality improvement, through the use of quality standards protocols and methods to strengthen quality of care for child and youth mental health. The WHO Quality Standards for Child and Youth Mental Health Services will be introduced alongside case studies from countries of their implementation. Participants will then be given the opportunity to consider how these apply in their context through small group learning activity. Day 3 provides master classes on two essential components to strengthen quality of child and adolescent mental health care: youth engagement and outcome measures. Case studies will be  Draft Programme Page 5 presented from different countries across the Region. Small group learning activities will provide opportunity to discuss further and apply to their context. Day 4 will be a fully interactive day, with participants presenting ideas for how to apply lessons learnt from the course to their own context. Feedback will be given from the group. A closing ceremony including certificates and presentation of the problem-based learning assignments throughout the course will be held. Post- course follow-up (90 minutes online, 7 December): will bring together participants in their small groups to consider learnings from the course, and how they can be applied in their context as well as any other additional needs for support. 8. Draft Programme Pre course briefing 26th October (online) Time Activity Tbc (90 Welcome to the course and introduction to quality of care minutes) - Greetings to the participants and course overview - Introduction to WHO’s report: Child and Youth mental health in the WHO European Region. - Preparation for small group learning - Q &A In person intensive workshops (2-5 November, Athens, in person) Day 1: A systems approach to strengthening quality of child and adolescent mental health care Time Activity 09.00-09.30 Registration 09.30-11.00 Session 1: Welcome to the course and introduction to quality of care: Official opening of the Autumn School - Opening addresses - Welcome and setting the scene 11.00-11.30 Coffee break 11.30-13.00 Session 2: Introduction to quality of care and patient safety for CAYMH in WHO European Region - Introduction to quality of care and patient safety - Interactive activity in groups 13.00-14.00 Lunch break 14.00-15.00 Session 3: WHO multi sectoral mapping tool to strengthen quality of child and youth mental health care - Introduction to the tool and case examples 15.00-15.30 Coffee break 15.30-16.45 Session 4: Small group learning 16.45-17.00 Wrap up and close Day 2: Strengthening quality of child and youth mental health services Time Activity 09.30-10.00 Welcome back and overview of the day & Wellbeing activity  Draft Programme Page 6 10.00-11.00 Session 1: WHO tools to strengthen quality of child and youth mental health services - Tools and case examples 11.00-11.30 Coffee break 11.30-13.00 Session 2: Introduction to quality improvement - Methods to strengthen quality of care 13.00-14.00 Lunch break 14.00-15.00 Session 3: Consultation on implementation guide for QoC CAYMH standards - Interactive session to co develop implementation guide - 15.00-15.30 Coffee break 15.30-16.45 Session 4: Small group learning 16.45-17.00 Wrap up and close Day 3: Master classes: youth engagement & outcome measures Time Activity 09.30-10.00 Welcome back and overview of the day and wellbeing activity 09.30-11.00 Session 1: Master class- youth engagement - Run by WHO’s Youth Advisory Group 11.00-11.30 Coffee break 11.30-13.00 Session 2: Master class- outcome measures - Measuring and gathering feedback on quality of child and youth mental health care 13.00-14.00 Lunch break 14.00-15.00 Small group learning 15.00-15.30 Coffee break 15.30-16.45 Group activity 17.00-17.05 Wrap up and close Day 4: User engagement and measuring what matters Time Activity 09.30-10.00 Welcome back and overview of the day and wellbeing activity 10.00-11.00 Group presentations 11.00-11.30 Coffee break Including confidence circles 11.30-13.00 Group presentations 13.00-14.00 Lunch break 14.00-15.00 Certificate ceremony 15.00-15.30 Coffee break 15.30-16.00 Wrap up and close & next steps  Draft Programme Page 7 Post course follow up – 7 December (online) Time Activity Tbc (90 Post course follow-up in small groups minutes) - Feedback on the course - Facilitators and barriers for implementation - Further support Saatja: "CHATURVEDI, Anna" <[email protected]> Saaja: "Helen Sõber - SOM" <[email protected]> Teema: WHO_request for nominations: 3rd WHO European Autumn School on Quality of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Care Kuupäev: 2026-08-25 07:21 Tähelepanu! Tegemist on välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga. Tundmatu saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada. Dear Ms Sõber, Please find attached the invitation to nominate two participants from your country to attend the 3rd WHO European Autumn School on Quality of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Care. The Autumn School will be held online on 26 October and 7 December 2026, and in person in Athens, Greece, from 2 to 5 November 2026. We thank you in advance for your cooperation and look forward to receiving your nominations by 30 September 2026. Best regards, Anna Chaturvedi WHO Athens Office on Quality of Care and Patient Safety WHO Regional Office for Europe Date: 19 August 2026 WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION Ms Helen Sõber Всемирная организация здравоохранения Adviser European Union Affairs and International Co- REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L’EUROPE operation Department REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA Ministry of Social Affairs ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО Suur-Ameerika 1 Tallinn 10122 ATHENS QUALITY OF CARE Estonia & PATIENT SAFETY OFFICE 3 Ploutarchou Str, Third Floor Athens, 106 75. Tel.: +30 210 522 5849 Website: http://www.euro.who.int 3rd WHO European Autumn School on Quality of Child and Adolescent Mental Health 26th October & 7th December (online) 2026 2-5 November 2026, in person, Athens, Greece Dear Ms Sõber, We are delighted to announce the 3rd WHO European Autumn School on Quality of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Care is scheduled to be held in October - December 2026 with two online sessions (26 October & 7 December) and a four day in person intensive course in Athens, Greece (2-5 November). We would like to invite your country to nominate two participants for this upcoming event. This event is jointly organized by the WHO Athens Office on Quality of Care and Patient Safety, in collaboration with the WHO Regional Office for Europe Mental Health and Well- being team. The 3rd WHO European Autumn School on Quality of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Care is designed for young professionals working in the field of mental health in Ministries of Health or in key national mental health institutes, and will offer an interactive exploration of advancements in child and adolescent mental health quality, featuring case studies, and insights from experts. The working language will be English. Nominated participants should be actively working on issues related to mental health, and have a good understanding of core mental health issues. Please submit your nomination, including the candidate’s personal CV of two pages and contact details at your earliest convenience and preferably no later than than 30th September 2026. Kindly address your response to Dr João Breda, Head of the WHO Athens Quality of Care Office ([email protected]) and Dr Ledia Lazeri ([email protected]), Regional Advisor for Mental Health, and copy Dr Jennifer Hall ([email protected]).  We thank you in advance for your cooperation and look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely yours, Dr Jennifer Hall, Technical Officer for mental health OIC on behalf of Dr Joao Breda. Dr Ledia Lazëri Dr João Breda Regional Adviser Head, WHO Athens Quality of Care and Mental Health and Well-being Patient Safety Office Division of Health Systems Division of Prevention and Health WHO Regional Office for Europe Promotion Officer in Charge and Special Representative, WHO Greece Encls: Brochure Copy for information to: Ms Agne Nettan-Sepp, Head, European Union Affairs and International Co-operation Department, Ministry of Social Affairs, Suur-Ameerika 1 Tallinn 10129,Estonia H.E. Ms Riia Salsa-Audiffren, Ambassador Representative of the Republic of Estonia, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Estonia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva Chemin du Petit-Saconnex 28A Genève CH-1209, Switzerland H.E. Mr Andre Pung, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Estonia, Frederiksgade 19, 4th floor Copenhagen K 1265, Denmark Ms Kristina Köhler, Head of Office, WHO Country Office, Estonia, Paldiski Road 81 Tallinn 10617, Estonia