On 19^th December 2016, Dr Laurence Fond-Harmant, researcher at the Epidemiology and Public Health Research Unit in LIH’s Department of Population Health, was awarded an “Erasmus+ Strategic Project” trophy. She is coordinating a European project aiming at developing networks of professionals for mental health of elderly patients with psychic disorders.

The award was handed over during the Annual Conference of Anefore, the national agency in charge of the promotion and implementation of European programmes for education and lifelong learning, in the presence of Claude Meisch, Minister for Education, Children and Youth. It is the second time in her research career that Dr Fond-Harmant was awarded with an “Erasmus+ Strategic Project” trophy.

‘My current project, involving five countries, aims to improve the healthcare and quality of life of elderly patients with mental disorders, a particularly vulnerable patient population’, tells Dr Fond-Harmant. ‘This shall be achieved by fostering health professional networks and defining best practices, both in institutional and in domestic care.’

Among the project goals are an analysis of the management and current practices of mental healthcare networks for the elderly, the set-up of a European exchange platform to establish and follow-up networking, and the publication of a recommendation guide. In addition, working in mental healthcare networks will be promoted by publications and conference presentations.

Having started end of December 2016, the project is planned for 32 months and involves collaborators from the INSIDE Research Unit of the University of Luxembourg, EPSM Lille-Métropole (France) - the WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, “Centre Neuro-Psychiatrique Saint Martin” (Belgium), Kepsipi - Centre of Psychological and Pedagogical Support (Greece), University of Crete (Greece) and “Aurel Vlaicu” University of Arad (Romania).