Mental health needs assessment in the time of covid-19 pandemic: the Delphi study based consensus

Backgrounds The COVID-19 pandemic affected mental health of population around the world. To be able to address mental health field effectively evidence based solutions through needs assessment with inclusion of all stakeholders - politicians, service providers, users and caregivers is needed. Methods The first group of priority activities was listed within two professional groups. Additional 129 participants of all stakeholder groups were invited to participate in the Delphi study consequently. After the first round activities were meaningfully formed into set of activities. In the second round, participants rated the importance on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 means very important activity). Results Among the participants in the Delphi study (response rate 37.9%), half of them were professionals and the other half equally distributed among policy- or decision-makers and services' users or carers. The average score of activities was 4.3 (important) with high consensus level (84.3%). The study provided a list of important activities including COVID 19 pandemic in Slovenia recognised in the system and service levels. These are single entry point, establishment of appropriate and accessible psychological assistance to most exposed individuals and to infected ones, continuously implemented destigmatization campaigns, regular consultations among professionals in health, social and educational services also for needs assessment, strengthened services addressing domestic violence, strengthen advocacy and representation services for people with mental health disorders and others. Conclusions The Delphi study provided consensus based list of activities at the system and service levels, important in the time of COVID-19 epidemics that are in line with international standards. These measures are also in line with several already launched preventive measures in Slovenia that were established also regarding detected needs. Work was supported by Slovenian Research Agency, project No.: Z3-2652. Key messages Delphi study achieved civil society’s influence and co-design of emergency activities. According to recognized needs establishment of additional services is needed, especially for vulnerable groups.