As part of the think tank „Institute for Development and Prevention” we collect data on mental health support systems for children and adolescents, entities responsible for this task along with the information on how they relate to one another. They are mainly research and analysis activities.

After collecting the data, we will construct a special platform for information exchange. Our subsequent actions will enable us to identify settings and types of mental health support for young individuals.

We operate in five main areas:

1. Analysis of documentation concerning young people’s mental health:

• legislation (legal acts, regulations),

• results of research into the mental health and/or risky behaviours of children and adolescents,

• literature (research findings, recommendations).

2. Situation analysis – mapping, which means organizing and graphically presenting the systems and entities implementing actions related to the mental health of children and adolescents. Such entities operate at the following levels:

• state: ministries and subordinate institutions,

• local: local governments and subordinate institutions,

• social area: non-governmental organizations,

• science world: research institutes/universities.

The data collected during the research will be used to identify specific entities with which we will conduct discussions (see point 3: Social research).

3. Social research

The social research will be conducted through interviews with representatives of various entities, including state institutions (e.g. relevant ministries), non-governmental organizations, local authorities and scientists studying mental health of children and adolescents.

We will select entities for in-depth interviews based on the prior analysis of legislation and the situation (see points 1 and 2). The entities of interest to us should have responsibilities related to the protection of children and adolescents’ mental health, which will allow us to gather insights from experienced individuals.

At this stage, we will gather information about their obligations and roles, actions they take and their collaborations. This knowledge will help us create a map depicting the connections and relationships between different entities.

4. Entering into agreements for cooperation with the aforementioned entities or individuals who care about the mental health of children and adolescents.

5. Constructing an information exchange platform which will include the mapped (systematised) data:

• legal grounds for actions,

• systems,

• research,

• relevant entities that operate within the systems and conduct research,

• specific initiatives.