The ABCs of Mental Health project, which has its roots in Western Australia, is set to expand its successful model across Europe. Originally developed in 2002, Act Belong Commit® stands as Australia’s longest-running mental health promotion campaign, demonstrating the power of community engagement in fostering mental well-being.

Building on this foundation, researchers at the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) University of Southern Denmark have adopted the ABC framework to the Danish context, to enhance public mental health by connecting international recommendations, research, policy, and practice.

Now, the International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA), in collaboration with partner organisations from Denmark, Estonia, Italy, Poland, Sweden, and Ukraine, is proud to launch the ABCs for Mental Health project, extending its reach across the borders.

The kick-off meeting held in Copenhagen from October 7-9 marked the beginning of this exciting journey.

Mental Health is more than the absence of mental disorders

The condition of mental health worldwide is a significant and growing concern, with approximately 1 in 8 people affected by mental disorders, but there is more to this.

WHO defines mental health as a “state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. It is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships, and shape the world we live in. Mental health is a basic human right. And it is crucial to personal, community and socio-economic development.”

During the kick-off meeting, we asked our partners what mental health means to them. 

In this project we believe, that committing to mental health is a major step towards better lives of every one.

Mental Health is Everybody’s Business

The ABCs for Mental Health project aims to enhance mental health and well-being for vulnerable target groups across Europe by further developing and scaling the successful, research-based model.

The efforts are structured across three levels – individual, group, and societal, to ensure a comprehensive approach and enable working toward real change and lasting impact.

Act – Belong – Commit – Just That and Yet So Much

It all comes down to three, rather straightforward actions:

Act – stay active – mentally, socially, physically… Do something!

Belong – stay connected to your friends, family, community. Do something with someone.

Commit – stay committed – do something that brings meaning to your life, such as taking on challenges, supporting causes, and helping others. Do something meaningful.

While seemingly obvious, it turns out that these simple actions, which can have a profound impact on mental well-being don’t get enough attention in our everyday lives.

The ABCs for Mental Health programme emphasises the power of these little things through its salutogenic approach, focusing on the positive aspects of life, rather than don’ts and restrictions. The programme encourages individuals to engage in activities that bring them joy and fulfillment, such as taking a walk, connecting with a friend, or practicing mindfulness, which can significantly contribute to preventing mental health issues.

During the kick-off meeting, our partners from the University of Copenhagen highlighted the importance of preventive actions and the difference between treatment, prevention, and promotion, using the metaphor of a river.

Imagine life as a river… At one end, the water is low and clear, representing mentally healthy individuals who are flourishing and full of energy. As you move downstream, the water deepens and the current gets stronger – this is where we would find those with moderate mental health, those who struggle with everyday stress but still feel relatively okay.

Going further, the water is challenging and the current is strong, individuals in this part of the river may not have enough energy to care for themselves or others, they are considered mentally unhealthy, experiencing symptoms of languishing or stress, and they risk developing more serious mental health disorders like anxiety and depression.

Life goes up and down, no situation will last forever – good or bad. People may start at different points in the river, and their resources can influence their ability to navigate through challenges and remain in healthier sections during tough times. That is why we need to focus on promotion and prevention across the whole river, no matter if we’re in a good or bad place at the moment. One can never know when the stream takes someone away.

So… No time to waste - what is one thing you will do for yourself today?

Key information:
Project period: September 2024 – August 2027
Co-funded by: EU4H-2023
Grant amount: 590 000€
Project Managers: Carole Ponchon, Hilal Erkoca (ISCA)

Full project partners: ISCA (Denmark), University of Copenhagen (Denmark), Peaasi (Estonia), Psykiatrifonden (Denmark), DGI (Denmark), V4Sport Foundation (Poland), UISP (Italy), En Frisk Generation (Sweden), Ukraine Active (Ukraine)

Associated partners: UFOLEP (France), Viken Idretskrets (Norway), JOGG (Netherland), DTB (Gemany), SOKOL (Czech Republic), Health Life Academy (Croatia), UMFI (Iceland), IDPJ (Portugal), Association sport for all Suceava (Romania)

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor HADEA can be held responsible for them.