Program goal

The research and intervention program “Psychology for the Society,” funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and carried out by the Institute of Psychology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, aims to diagnose and strengthen mental health awareness among Polish women and men. In particular, we will examine the role that socio-economic status may play in awareness of mental health and attitudes toward psychological help.

In our project, we assume that one of the factors responsible for low psychological well-being may be an insufficient level of knowledge or misconceptions about mental disorders, as well as negative attitudes toward specialists providing psychological support and toward people seeking psychological help.

The first part of our project will be devoted to an initial diagnosis of the problem and to testing and implementing an intervention – a website on mental health, educational materials, and a spot encouraging Polish women and men to take care of their mental health. The results of the quantitative and qualitative research conducted within the project will be presented in reports outlining the state of mental health among Polish women and men.

We will create educational materials promoting knowledge about mental health, increasing understanding and acceptance of mental health issues in society (combating stigma). We will also provide practical recommendations for state authorities, employers, and educational institutions on ways to support mental health.