Mental Health Problems Among Estonian Adolescents: Epidemiological Indicators and Validation of Assessment Tools (SekMo)

Project Number: 2021-2027.1.01.25-0989 

Funder: Support for Cross-Sectoral Mobility (SekMo) 

Measure: 2021-2027.1.1 (EK No. 1.1) Scientific and Innovation Capacity, High-Level Technologies 

Duration of the project: 01.09.2025 – 31.08.2029

Aim of the project: 

The aim of the project is to scientifically enhance the quality of curricula at Tartu Health Care College and strengthen competence in the validation of assessment tools and in the field of mental health, thereby increasing international competitiveness and impact. The aim is to provide an evidence-based overview of the prevalence of mental health problems among Estonian teenagers and the associated risk factors, and to validate the assessment tools necessary for monitoring mental health issues. 

Sub-objectives: 

1. To describe the self-reported prevalence of internalizing, externalizing, and attention problems among 15–16-year-old schoolchildren and analyze the associated risk factors. 
2. To validate assessment tools for internalizing problems among 13–18-year-old schoolchildren in relation to mood and anxiety disorders assessed through clinical interviews. 
3. To validate assessment tools for attention problems among 13–18-year-old schoolchildren in relation to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessed through clinical interviews.