Sabina: Canada

Primary care providers and other health care professionals can support patients’ mental health by
addressing stressors and lifestyle factors. However, fewer than 3 in 10 Canadians reported that a
health professional talked with them about things in their lives that caused them worry or stress
(Canada: 28%; CMWF average: 28%). Discussing lifestyle factors such as physical exercise, healthy
eating and substance use with their care providers also varied, with Canada’s results being very
similar to the CMWF average. In the 2022 CMWF survey of primary care physicians, less than half of
Canadian physicians reported that they often screen or assess patients for their social needs like
housing, financial security and food insecurity.
Virtual care offers another way to access mental health services

Use of virtual mental health care has grown considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Virtual care — which includes talking to a professional by telephone, video or text message — is one
tool that physicians use to support their patients’ well-being. In 2022, about three-quarters of
Canadian primary care physicians reported that virtual care allowed them to effectively assess the
mental and behavioural health needs of their patients.

Virtual mental health care is not yet common across Canada, with only 1 in 9 Canadians (11%)
reporting that they received virtual health care from a mental health professional (CMWF average:
7%); however, both uptake of and satisfaction with virtual mental health services were significantly
higher among Canadian adults than among adults in other countries surveyed. Of those who received
virtual mental health care, most were very or somewhat satisfied with the care received (Canada:
82%; CMWF average: 74%). Younger adults (19%) and females (14%) were more likely to use virtual
mental health care. Nearly 3 in 4 Canadian adults who used virtual mental health care had a diagnosed
mental health condition (72%).

Virtual mental health care may not be appropriate for severe and/or acute mental health conditions,
but it can be helpful for patients with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

It may have the potential to address barriers to accessing care, and to empower patients to better
manage their conditions.

Further research is needed to understand how to improve equitable access to virtual mental health care
in marginalized communities.

Liza: Italy
Mental health model of Italy: Trieste Model
-​ Franco Basaglia: Theoretical assumptions from the 60’ and 70’s
-​ "The system in Trieste is organized around a number of community mental health centers, the
number of which varied across the years. Aside from a brief period for one of them currently,
they are normally all open 24/7. These settings include beds for people who need them, but
are also places where people can meet to pass some time with others, see a psychologist or
another professional. They are therefore both crisis and not-crisis services, in line with the
idea that “freedom is therapeutic,” which was one of the mottos of the revolution.”
-​ The main idea of this model is to welcome everyone with open arms, and focus on the person,
not the illness.” The goal is to welcome the person to a community where they are supported.
-​ Trieste model hospitals focus on getting the patient home as soon as possible instead of
forcing them to stay longer than needed
-​ The Trieste model implements social and environmental factors into the treatment as well:
social networks (friends, family), social events (community participation), and doing daily
activities to feel a sense of belonging and purpose.
DIEB initiatives (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging): “implementing comprehensive policies
that promote inclusion, equity, and diversity”
-​ mainly used in workplaces and educational settings
-​ irl example: Intesa Sanpaulo bank
([Link]
%C3%A0/italiano/2021/Brochure_Intesa_Sanpaolo_Diversity&Inclusion_EN.pdf )
-​ These initiatives help everyone to feel welcome, supported, accepted, and promotes people to
open up and seek help when needed

Psychologist Bonus 2025

-​ can be submitted until November 14, 2025
-​ Italian National Social Security Institute funded and managed
-​ This bonus plan aims to support and provide therapy for those with low income backgrounds
who wouldn’t be able to afford it
-​ “Established in 2022 under Decree-Law No. 228/2021 (Article 1-quater, paragraph 3), the
bonus became a permanent measure in 2023 through Law 197/2022.”

[Link]
hats-new/

Alfiya:Denmark
The concept of Hygge
The Danish cultural concept of hygge is hard to translate, but in general it means taking time
away from the daily rush to enjoy the good things in life. Hygge often takes place with family and
friends, but you can also hygge (verb) alone, too, maybe with a good book or your favourite TV
series.
During the long Danish winters, hygge mostly takes place indoors - playing board games or
chatting with friends over a hot beverage. But it can also be hyggeligt (adjective) to take a winter walk
in nature and observe how plants and animals are coping with the cold weather.
Hygge is about enjoying the simple and good parts of life together with people you care
about.

This estimates how many years people live in good physical and mental health.

●​ Denmark: ~72 years of healthy life expectancy

●​ Global average: ~63 years

Danes live about 9 years longer in good health than the world average.

So about 14% of Denmark’s happiness score is directly linked to health [Link] is all about the
Hygge concept.
Surveys also ask: “How would you rate your health?”

In Denmark:

●​ ~80% of adults report “good” or “very good” health​

●​ EU average: ~69

Anna: India
In India only 1 in 20 individuals receiving treatment for their mental health issues—> poor mental
health awareness, lack of trained professionals, poor help seeking.

National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) —> launched in 1982, to address the mental health
needs of the population, in 2003 re-strategized to include the upgradation of psychiatric wings of
medical collages/general hospitals.

Family plays an important role in the degree of support for mental health, influencing perceptions
around it and resources for it.

Smriti Joshi says in most cases individuals may initially turn to their families for support and
guidance; sometimes this can provide a safe place for the individual and allow them to try different
strategies to cope with their stressors or concerns.

Some individuals cannot seek treatment until their family is not supporting them. Faith healers and
religious leaders are also preferred sources of support in India. It attributes them to bad karma or curse
or possession by evil spirits. So rather than stop people from seeking these services they will
encourage individuals to utilize them in tandem with the treatment pathways prescribed by their
mental health practitioner.

Mind and body practices —> yoga and meditation

Ayurveda —> a traditional Indian system of medicine that emphasizes a holistic approach to general
health and mental health trough herbal treatments and lifestyle practices aimed at restoring balance.

Joint family support —> this refers to the practice of several generations living together in one home,
this system can offer emotional support, safety net for individuals and contributing to their mental
well being

Ancient text can give advice on living a balanced life, fostering mental peace.

For instance, The Atharva Veda talks about the calming effects of chants and healing sounds, which
are now comparable to modern sound therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction methods.
Fizza- Australia
The Headspace Early-Intervention Model in Australia is a youth-focused mental-health
approach designed to provide support to people aged 12 to 25 before problems become
severe. It combines therapy, counselling, medical support, and social services in one
accessible place, helping young people manage mental health challenges early. Services are
available in community centres, online, or by phone, making care easy to reach and reducing
stigma. Headspace also emphasizes holistic wellbeing, addressing mental, physical, and
social needs, and providing guidance for education, work, and life skills. By focusing on
early detection, accessible support, and comprehensive care, the model helps young people
improve mental wellbeing, prevent crises, and build resilience for the future.

Headspace is practiced through community-based centres, online platforms, and phone

services, making mental-health support easy to access for young people aged 12–25. In these
centres, multidisciplinary teams of psychologists, counsellors, social workers, and doctors
provide therapy, medical care, and social support all in one place. Early intervention is a key
part of the practice, meaning staff help detect and address mental-health issues before they
become severe. Support also includes help with education, employment, and life skills. The
model emphasizes a youth-friendly, inclusive, and non-judgmental environment, ensuring
that young people feel safe, understood, and supported.

Young people using Headspace services experience improved mental wellbeing, including
reductions in anxiety and depression.

Early intervention prevents mental health problems from worsening and can reduce the need
for hospitalization.

In 2021–2022, Headspace centres delivered over 400,000 support sessions, showing high
engagement and accessibility.

Telehealth and online services have reduced missed appointments by 20–30%, especially
in rural areas.

Overall, clients report higher satisfaction and better coping skills after receiving support
through Headspace.