Challenges in school-to-work transition for marginalized groups - the need to strengthen structures for vulnerable youth (post pandemics) Findings from the German project “Co*Gesund”

Abstract Objective The transition from school to work is a challenge for young people which is closely correlated with health and well- being. Promoting resilience factors contributes to adolescents’ mental health and social and educational success. The aim of this study is to examine how especially vulnerable youth cope with the transition during the pandemic to identify which structural measures are helpful and which are a hindrance and to develop recommendations for action. Methods First, a rapid review on the subject of young people's mental health during the pandemic was conducted. Based on this 30 interviews with professionals from schools and vocational education and two focus groups with young people from participating institutions follow in spring and summer 2022. Finally, recommendations for action will be developed together with both groups. Results The results of the literature research illustrate the strong influence of the pandemic on the mental health of adolescents and, in particular, the increase in health inequalities along the social gradient. In relation to school and education, it is clear that young people lacked contact persons during this time. It is expected that the interviews and focus groups give insight, which resources of the young people can be strengthened in a low- threshold way and will provide further concrete indications on what structural development is needed to strengthen the resilience of young people. Conclusions For the promotion of mental health it is necessary to rely not only on the resources of young people themselves, but especially on the resources available in their environment. Only in this way transition processes can be managed successfully by the young people and they can be strengthened for the future. To this end, solutions should be developed jointly and support systems should be improved


Objective:
The transition from school to work is a challenge for young people which is closely correlated with health and well-being. Promoting resilience factors contributes to adolescents' mental health and social and educational success. The aim of this study is to examine how especially vulnerable youth cope with the transition during the pandemic to identify which structural measures are helpful and which are a hindrance and to develop recommendations for action.

Methods:
First, a rapid review on the subject of young people's mental health during the pandemic was conducted. Based on this 30 interviews with professionals from schools and vocational education and two focus groups with young people from participating institutions follow in spring and summer 2022. Finally, recommendations for action will be developed together with both groups.

Results:
The results of the literature research illustrate the strong influence of the pandemic on the mental health of adolescents and, in particular, the increase in health inequalities along the social gradient. In relation to school and education, it is clear that young people lacked contact persons during this time. It is expected that the interviews and focus groups give insight, which resources of the young people can be strengthened in a low-threshold way and will provide further concrete indications on what structural development is needed to strengthen the resilience of young people.

Conclusions:
For the promotion of mental health it is necessary to rely not only on the resources of young people themselves, but especially on the resources available in their environment. Only in this way transition processes can be managed successfully by the young people and they can be strengthened for the future. To this end, solutions should be developed jointly and support systems should be improved

Results:
Most studies (n = 37) used a cross-sectional design. 37 studies included a measure of family functioning and 3 studies used one of family structure. Most used was the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (n = 17), followed by the Family Functioning Scale (n = 5). Family relationship quality was related to depression, anxiety, and substance use. All aspects family cohesion were related to mental health outcomes. Family conflicts are associated with an increase in mental health conditions.

Conclusions:
Family cohesion shows an association with positive mental health while conflict is associated with negative mental health. This is an indication, that interventions at the family level are useful to help prevent/mitigate mental health conditions over the life course. Main message: As mental health conditions are a big public health issue affecting at least 1 in 4 individuals, family-based interventions for mental health condition prevention could not only help individuals but the whole family to strengthen and maintain positive mental health.

Background:
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious public health concern affecting 12% of women globally. Early detection is necessary to provide timely support. In Scandinavian countries, universal screening is recommended. However, migrant women, who are at increased risk of PPD, seem to be screened less often. Still, there is limited knowledge about 1) how acculturation relates to screening, and 2) how healthcare providers navigate PDD screening with migrant women.

Aims and methods:
We used a mixed-methods approach to explore whether and why inequalities in PPD screening using the Edinburgh postpartum depression scale (EPDS) may exist in the context of universal PPD screening within the free home-visiting program in Denmark. Data from 77,694 infants and their mothers participating in the Danish home-visiting program iii184 European Journal of Public Health, Volume 32 Supplement 3, 2022