Mental health
Date: 02/07/2019
Mental health is an important prerequisite for a good quality of life, high level of functioning and social interaction. Mental health issues are common and range from minor limitations of psychological wellbeing to serious mental disorders. They are associated with considerable consequences for the individual and society and have an effect on physical health and health-related behaviour. Due to their prevalence in the population, depression, anxiety disorders, addiction and dementia, in particular, have high public health relevance.
Mental health is affected by a large number of risk factors (e.g. work-related stress, major life events, personality factors, social status, lifestyle), but also protective factors (e.g. social support, resilience, healthy way of life). Numerous approaches can be derived from these factors for the prevention of mental disorders and the promotion of good mental health in the population.
Activities at Robert Koch Institute
In the framework of health monitoring in children and adults, the Robert Koch Institute regularly collects data on mental health, psychological issues, psychological disorders, risk factors and protective factors.
In addition to the frequency and distribution of mental health issues in the population, epidemiological studies also investigate the impact of risk factors and protective factors, as well as the relationship between mental and physical health.
The research activities in this area deal with a variety of relevant mental health aspects throughout a person’s lifetime, from childhood to late adulthood.
Establishment of a Mental Health Surveillance in Germany
Further information
RKI publications server edoc: Publications in the Journal of Health Monitoring
Research projects, publications and reports on the German website