Monsenso participates in MENTBEST – a European community-based and personalised digital intervention project

Monsenso participates in MENTBEST – a European community-based and personalised digital intervention project

by | May 4, 2023 | News

The new European intervention project MENTBEST will deliver an innovative and comprehensive community-based intervention programme and a personalised digital application based on Monsenso’s solution to prevent and mitigate the mental health challenges associated with dramatic and rapid change in Europe. 

European societies are severely impacted by global trends such as war, economic crisis, climate changes, migration, pandemics, and ageing population. These megatrends can negatively affect people’s psychological health and wellbeing – with vulnerable groups being at particular risk. Thus scalable intervention programmes are needed to build resilience and enhance self-help competency to prevent mental illness.

Therefore, the European Union is funding the design and delivery of validated community-based interventions and innovative technologies to empower individuals from vulnerable groups to better manage mental health challenges associated with dramatic and rapid change in Europe. During the MENTBEST project, interventions will be delivered to communities in five different countries, namely Albania, Estonia, Greece, Ireland, and Spain. The project is led by the European Alliance Against Depression, and includes a consortium of 14 European partners with an extensive range of expertise. 

As part of the intervention project, an AI-enabled app based on Monsenso’s digital health platform will be developed and trialed to help prevent mental illness among high-risk groups, particularly migrants/refugees, older people, younger people, long-term unemployed, and those already struggling with their mental health. The goal of the AI-enabled personalised self-care program is to allow vulnerable people to use their long-term smartphone-generated data to support their mental health self-management. 

“The ambition of MENTBEST is to increase resilience and self-help competencies of people most often left behind in times of rapid and dramatic societal changes.”, explains Professor Ulrich Hegerl, MENTBEST Project Coordinator and President of the European Alliance Against Depression.

“Timely access to evidence-based support has the potential to empower vulnerable people to reduce the risk of developing mental illnesses. We are looking forward to participating in MENTBEST and expanding our platform to provide personalised, AI-driven self-care programs to people at high risk of facing difficulties with their mental health.”, says Thomas Lethenborg, CEO at Monsenso. 

The MENTBEST app will be trialed in Denmark, Germany, and Spain under the leadership of Professor Lars Kessing and Associate Professor Maria Faurholt-Jepsen from Mental Health Services of the Capital Region of Denmark.

“The project builds on our year-long research experience with digital mental health for more severe mental health illnesses. We see great potential in digital, data-driven mental health also for mild to moderate conditions and consequently look forward to driving the digital intervention part of the MENTBEST project with Monsenso”, says Maria Faurholt-Jepsen, Associate professor at Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark.

Facts
Project title: MENTBEST
Total budget: DKK 52.1 mio.
Net contribution to Monsenso: DKK 5.7 mio.
Duration: 5 years

About the partners
The project is led by the European Alliance Against Depression. The consortium entails leading experts in mental health promotion, resilience, wellbeing and primary prevention of disorders, mental disorders and suicide prevention, mental health in the workplace, mental health in children and adolescents, mental health in old age and experts in e-mental health and support technology, public policy, public education and evaluation. The consortium members are European Alliance Against Depression Ev, Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto (Portugal), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), National Suicide Research Foundation (Ireland), Region Hovedstaden (Denmark), Det Nationale Forskningscenter for Arbejdsmiljø (Denmark), Eesti-Rootsi Vaimse Tervise ja Suitsidoloogia Instituut (Estonia), Stiftung Deutsche Depressionshilfe Und Suizidpraevention (Germany), Qendres Se Shendetit Dhe Mireqenies Komunitare (Albania), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium), Pintail Ltd (Ireland), Kentro Erevnon Notioanatolikis Evropis Astiki Mi Kerdoskopiki Etaireia (Greece), and Fundacio Institut Hospital del Mar D’Investigacions Mèdiques (Spain).

Further information:
Monsenso:
CEO
Thomas Lethenborg
Tel. +45 21 29 88 27
E-mail: lethenborg@monsenso.com 

Certified Adviser:
Norden CEF A/S
John Norden
Tel. +45 20 72 02 00
E-mail: jn@nordencef.dk

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Healthcare as a business case: Which importance is placed on societal impact vs economic impact?

Healthcare as a business case: Which importance is placed on societal impact vs economic impact?

by | Apr 26, 2023 | Blog, mHealth

Over the past decade, public spending on health in Denmark has been above the EU average. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, government spending on healthcare has grown by more than 5% in 2020 alone [1], reaching total healthcare expenditures of DKK 270.794m in 2021 [2]. But how does Denmark decide which new treatment approaches to spend money on, and does the societal impact of healthcare measures play an equally important role as their economic impact?

Though member states of the European Union are not precluded from “releasing marketing authorisations valid at national level” for new medicines/treatments, EU-wide marketing authorisations require new treatments to go through a centralised authorisation procedure managed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which evaluates the pharmaceutical quality, safety, and efficacy of new treatments [3]. However, whereas obtaining marketing authorisation on an EU level allows providers to offer their new medicines/treatments, it is mainly the national health authorities’ decisions on reimbursement and pricing measures that affect if patients will have access to them [3]. 

In Denmark, the Danish Medicines Council (Medicinrådet) is an important body that assesses new treatment approaches and makes recommendations related to which medicines/treatments should be used in the Danish healthcare system [4]. Typically, cost-effectiveness and the impact on the healthcare budget are two important economic factors that national health authorities consider during such evaluations [3]. But what about the societal impact of new treatments? Does it receive sufficient consideration during the assessment procedures? 

Let’s take innovative digital health solutions as an example. If we purely consider the direct economic costs digital health solutions for mental health can help to reduce, such as the costs for (re)hospitalisation (e.g., DKK 6.000 per day), do we really get a full picture of the value of these innovations in healthcare? Potentially not, as the societal impact would not have been considered.

For instance, we would have not taken into account that digital health solutions for mental health can significantly improve the quality of life of individuals suffering from mental disorders [5], or that these innovations can enable mentally ill individuals to better recover and return to work faster. Neither would we have considered that digital solutions can facilitate making better use of resources available in the future, for instance by helping clinicians to handle growing patient data volumes they often feel overwhelmed with [6]. 

The societal impact of new treatments may be more difficult to quantify than the pure health economic impact, but we believe it is an important factor to consider when evaluating innovative approaches. At Monsenso, we have made it our mission to enable better mental health for more people at lower costs, and the positive societal impacts and increased quality of life that we help generate are as important to us as the pure health economic impact.
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About Monsenso
Monsenso is an innovative technology company offering a digital health solution used for decentralised trials, remote patient monitoring and treatment support. Our mission is to contribute to improved health for more people at lower costs by supporting treatment digitally and leveraging patient-reported outcomes data. Our solution helps optimise the treatment and gives a detailed overview of an individual’s health through the collection of outcome, adherence, and behavioural data. It connects individuals, carers, and healthcare providers to enable personalised treatment, remote care, and early intervention. We collaborate with health and social care, pharmaceuticals, and leading researcher worldwide in our endeavors to deliver solutions that fit into the life of patients and healthcare professionals. To learn more visit  www.monsenso.com

References: 

[1] European Commission (2021). State of Health in the EU · Denmark · Country Health Profile 2021.
https://eurohealthobservatory.who.int/docs/librariesprovider3/country-health-profiles/chp2021pdf/denmark-countryhealthprofile2021.pdf?sfvrsn=e79f1c55_7&download=true

[2] Statistics Denmark (n.d.). Health care expenditure.
https://www.dst.dk/en/Statistik/emner/oekonomi/offentlig-oekonomi/udgifter-til-sundhed

[3] European Parliament (2015). Towards a Harmonised EU Assessment of the Added Therapeutic Value of Medicines.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2015/542219/IPOL_STU(2015)542219_EN.pdf

[4] Medicinrådet (n.d.). Danish Medicines Council.
https://medicinraadet.dk/om-os/in-english

[5] Monsenso (2022). Key research findings.
https://www.monsenso.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Monsenso-Key-Research-Findings.pdf

[6] Elsevier Health (2022). Clinician of the Future Report 2022.
https://www.elsevier.com/connect/clinician-of-the-future

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Stress Awareness Month 2023

Stress Awareness Month 2023

by | Apr 21, 2023 | Blog, Mental Illness

April is Stress Awareness Month, which aims to shine light on stress and its consequences on our well-being, removing stigma and shame around mental health.  

Stress is our bodies’ and brains’ response to environmental changes or adverse events [1;2]. When we experience a situation that provokes stress in us, we either react to it positively (pro-adaptively) and are able to adjust to the situation well, or we react negatively (maladaptively) and struggle to cope with the situation.

Most people feel stressed at times throughout their life. For some, the stress just lasts for a moment or a short period. For others, it, unfortunately, prevails longer and can have debilitating consequences [3]. Negative responses to stress often present themselves as “a state of worry or […] tension” and can have both physiological and mental effects [1;2]. Chronic stress has not only been identified as a major risk factor for mental illnesses, such as anxiety or depression, but has also been linked to physical illnesses, such as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases [2].

In Denmark, the number of adults experiencing stress has increased significantly over the last few years. In 2021, elevated stress levels were recorded among 29% of the adult population, with 16–24-year-olds being the most affected age group [3].

For some people, practicing mindfulness and making smaller life changes, such as establishing a daily routine, creating better eating habits, and exercising regularly can help alleviate stress levels. For others, when stress becomes chronic and begins affecting one’s mental and physical health, seeking professional help can bring relief and help people improve their well-being.
However, many individuals struggling with their mental health do not seek treatment out of fear of being stigmatized and treated “differently […] or losing their jobs and livelihood” [4].

This is where digital health solutions for mental health offer an opportunity to empower individuals suffering from stress to better manage their own mental health and regain control over how stressful situations impact them. At Monsenso, we have worked with a variety of mental health disorders in both research and clinical settings. Our digital mental health solution has helped many individuals struggling with their mental health to better understand their conditions and live a more independent life. We are proud to support Stress Awareness Month and will continue to spread knowledge about mental health conditions and offer our support to individuals affected.
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About Monsenso
Monsenso is an innovative technology company offering a digital health solution used for decentralised trials, remote patient monitoring and treatment support. Our mission is to contribute to improved health for more people at lower costs by supporting treatment digitally and leveraging patient-reported outcomes data. Our solution helps optimise the treatment and gives a detailed overview of an individual’s health through the collection of outcome, adherence, and behavioural data. It connects individuals, carers, and healthcare providers to enable personalised treatment, remote care, and early intervention. We collaborate with health and social care, pharmaceuticals, and leading researcher worldwide in our endeavors to deliver solutions that fit into the life of patients and healthcare professionals. To learn more visit  www.monsenso.com

References:
[1] World Health Organization (2023). Stress.
https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/stress

[2] Musazzi, L., Tornese, P., Sala, N., & Popoli, M. (2017). Acute or chronic? A stressful question. Trends in Neurosciences, 40(9), 525-535.

[3] Sundhedsstyrelsen (2022). Tal og fakta om stress.
https://sst.dk/da/Viden/Forebyggelse/Mental-sundhed/Stress/Tal-og-fakta 

[4] American Psychiatric Association (n.d.). Stigma, Prejudice and Discrimination Against People with Mental Illness.
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination#:~:text=Public%20stigma%20involves%20the%20negative,have%20about%20their%20own%20condition.

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Monsenso enters partnership with psychiatric clinic in Greece

Monsenso enters partnership with psychiatric clinic in Greece

by | Mar 7, 2022 | News

Monsenso has entered into a partnership agreement with the Greek psychiatric clinic Tzeranis Psychis Omma to deploy the solution in their clinic from Q2 2022 and drive market expansion of the Monsenso solution on the Greek market.

In 2019, 18% of the Greek population was living with a mental illness [1] – since then, the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a significant rise in mental health problems [2]. At the “Meeting of Minds on Quality of Care” conference hosted by WHO/Europe in Athens in December 2021, the necessity to “improve the quality of mental health care for children and adolescents” was emphasised, particularly in light of the Covid 19 pandemic [3]. Greek officials have further highlighted the significance of patient-centricity in mental health services in particular [2].

Psychis Omma has supported individuals with psychological and psychiatric illnesses for over 50 years, aiming at “offering a better life for people suffering from mental disorders, both to themselves and their families” [4]. The clinic provides both inpatient hospitalisation in their facilities in Nea Penteli, close to Athens, as well as (online) psychological support services and external observation [4]. 

The Monsenso Digital Health Solution will be implemented in Psychis Omma’s clinical practice as a tool to support patients in their treatment pathway and to facilitate early intervention and crisis reduction. Moreover, Psychis Omma Mental Health Solutions will act as a partner of Monsenso in Greece, advocating for the benefits of using digital support tools in mental health settings and actively marketing the Monsenso solution on the Greek market.

The Monsenso app for individuals helps patients to keep track of their well-being, symptoms, and medication intake through self-reported data, as well as their behaviour through sensor data collected on mobile phones. The historical data is visualised and helps individuals remember how they have been doing, e.g. between support sessions. It also helps them gain better insight into the behaviours that trigger their symptoms, empowering them to better manage their condition. Healthcare providers access the user data via a web portal for professionals, enabling them to see fluctuations in the mental state of the patients. This can help to predict relevant outcomes and reduce potential relapses and readmissions.

“We are excited to bring the Monsenso Solution to Greece and work with Psychis Omma as a partner who values enabling people with mental illnesses to live better, more independent lives as highly as we do.”, says Thomas Lethenborg, CEO of Monsenso.

“We are looking forward to working with Monsenso as a partner in Greece and to using their digital health solution to offer improved treatment support to more patients. Remote patient monitoring will open new doors to us in terms of our capabilities to actively support individuals outside of treatment sessions.”, says Spyros Tzeranis, Scientific Director of Tzeranis Psychis Omma.

About Tzeranis Psychis Omma 
Tzeranis Psychis Omma is a Greek Neuropsychiatric Clinic founded in 1971, providing specialist health services and supporting individuals with various psychological and psychiatric illnesses. Working with highly experienced and trained nursing and medical staff, the clinic offering both inpatient care and external psychological support aims at enabling more individuals suffering from mental illness to live better lifes.
To learn more visit tzeranis.gr.

About Monsenso
Monsenso is an innovative technology company offering a digital health solution used for decentralised trials, remote patient monitoring and treatment support. Our mission is to contribute to improved health for more people at lower costs by supporting treatment digitally and leveraging patient-reported outcomes data. Our solution helps optimise the treatment and gives a detailed overview of an individual’s health through the collection of outcome, adherence, and behavioural data. It connects individuals, carers, and health care providers to enable personalised treatment, remote care, and early intervention. We collaborate with health and social care, pharmaceuticals, and leading researcher worldwide in our endeavours to deliver solutions that fit into the life of patients and health care professionals. To learn more visit www.monsenso.com.

[1] Stewart, C. (2021). Europe: mental disorders among adolescents in 2019, by country. Statista. https://www-statista-com.esc-web.lib.cbs.dk:8443/statistics/1273254/mental-disorders-among-adolescents-in-europe-by-country/

[2] WHO (2021). Athens Mental Health Summit – Ministers and representatives renew commitment to prioritize mental health in the WHO European Region.
https://www.euro.who.int/en/countries/greece/news/news/2021/8/athens-mental-health-summit-ministers-and-representatives-renew-commitment-to-prioritize-mental-health-in-the-who-european-region

[3] WHO (2021). WHO/Europe and Greece put quality of care at the top of the health agenda. https://www.euro.who.int/en/countries/greece/news/news/2021/12/whoeurope-and-greece-put-quality-of-care-at-the-top-of-the-health-agenda

[4] Psychis Omma Tzeranis Clinic (n.d.). Our Clinic. https://tzeranis.gr/en/our-clinic/

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Norddjurs municipality in Denmark joins a successful back-to-work program supported by the Monsenso digital health solution

Norddjurs municipality in Denmark joins a successful back-to-work program supported by the Monsenso digital health solution

by | Jan 28, 2022 | News

Norddjurs Municipality in the Central Jutland region joins the successful Return-to-Work program, facilitated by several partners including Empano, Sundinvest, Den Sociale Kapitalfond, AS3, PWC and supported by Monsenso’s digital health solution. From February 2022, Monsenso’s digital health solution will be deployed in Norddjurs Municipality to support individuals during their return-to-work process, while collecting real-world insights on outcomes.

The impact of COVID -19 on social care.
The disruption or shutdown of critical mental health services during the COVID -19 pandemic has led to the rapid adoption of technology-enabled care (TEC) in both health care and adult social care (ASC). Today, there is no doubt that digital technologies offer the potential to improve social care, from targeting resources where they are most needed to promote independence in the community through remote care and treatment support.

Commissioning beyond COVID -19
The adoption of technology-enabled care (TEC) also provides an opportunity to move towards a more person-centered and evidence-based model of commissioning that focuses on service delivery outcomes.

Three forward-thinking municipalities in Denmark implement an outcome-based back-to-work service provided by Empano and Monsenso

To date, two forward-thinking municipalities in Denmark (Guldborgsund and Slagelse) have implemented an outcome-based back-to-work service provided by Empano and Monsenso.

The back-to-work services are designed to help citizens with mental illness return to the labour market faster and consist of coping and motivational courses provided by Empano, offered in conjunction with the Monsenso digital health solution for remote treatment support and real wold data collection on outcomes to validate and demonstrate program effectiveness. 

Since February 2022, Norddjurs municipality in the Central Jutland region has also joined the successful program and more municipalities are expected to follow during the year.

About Monsenso
Monsenso is an innovative technology company offering a digital health solution used for decentralised trials, remote patient monitoring and treatment support. Our mission is to contribute to improved health for more people at lower costs by supporting treatment digitally and leveraging patient-reported outcomes data. Our solution helps optimise the treatment and gives a detailed overview of an individual’s health through the collection of outcome, adherence, and behavioural data. It connects individuals, carers, and health care providers to enable personalised treatment, remote care, and early intervention. We collaborate with health and social care, pharmaceuticals, and leading researcher worldwide in our endeavours to deliver solutions that fit into the life of patients and health care professionals. To learn more visit  www.monsenso.com.

To learn more, visit www.monsenso.com

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