Type of Project: Funded project Model project
Online – Prevention for persons with mental stress online: to prevent long-term incapacity for work

Every year, 18 million people in Germany are affected by a mental illness. Mental illness is the third most common cause of absence from work, after respiratory diseases and musculoskeletal disorders. Nevertheless, the average time between initial contact and the start of psychotherapy is still 16 weeks. It is further unclear how prevention can be organised for mental illnesses where the transition from chronic stress in the sense of burnout to an adjustment disorder, neurasthenia or reactive depression is fluid.

The project "Online" provides an internet-based prevention portal. It provides information about anxiety, depression, exhaustion and sleep disorders and helps people to cope with any symptoms they may already have. Exercise programmes are also offered on the platform.

The project has three innovations:
1. Flexible availability of the programme in terms of time and location
2. Individual prevention programme with a psychological focus
3. Additional in-depth modules for specific stresses

The portal serves as a prevention programme, especially when inpatient admission or a full-time outpatient prevention programme is not possible due to the place of residence. Scientific monitoring by the University of Hildesheim evaluates the effectiveness and supports the further development of the programme.