There is a lack of validated autism-specific outcome measures for large-scale evaluation of the effectiveness of psycho-educational programmes. To fill this gap the Environment Rating Scale (ERS) was adapted from an interview version to a staff-completed questionnaire version (ERS-Q). The ERS-Q was tested regarding data quality, validity, reliability and ease of understanding amongst 18 residential staff members. The ERS-Q and ERS showed comparable reliability (alpha = 0.89 and 0.93, respectively) and their correlation was 0.73. These observations support that the ERS interview can be adapted into a questionnaire without substantial loss of conceptual meaning. However, further evaluations in larger samples are needed to more firmly evaluate the measurement properties.

The aim of this single-case study was to describe the staff's collaborative work process for a period of three-and-a-half years caring for an adolescent boy with autism and intellectual disabilities living in an apartment of his own together with his caregivers. The longitudinal data included the staff's (two men and two women) common open diary, repeated individual interviews and focus group interviews. Detailed content analysis of the diary and the interviews indicated that the staff's perceptions of their pedagogical work, teamwork and work conditions changed from a positive to a largely negative view, appearing to affect the pedagogical strategies adopted. Also, it became visible that the unique work situation, involving a lack of actual goals, feedback and pedagogical supervision may have negatively affected the collaborative work process and the staff's effort to establish structure and consensus in the pedagogical work.

The Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) is the only autism spectrum disorders (ASD) specific tool for assessment of residential services and treatment models. However, one limitation with the ERS is its dependence on expert observations and interviews, particularly in larger scale studies. The ERS has therefore been adapted into a staff self-report questionnaire (ERS-Q). Here the measurement properties of the ERS-Q were examined according to traditional test theory criteria. Data provided support for summation of raw item scores into total and subscale ERS-Q scores and item-total correlations indicated that items within scales tap a common construct, suggesting that the ERS-Q is useful in survey as well as interventional studies. As such the ERS-Q appears a valuable addition to the current ASD research toolbox.

Mental disorders are a leading cause of chronic disease and disability in the EU.Supporting Member States in addressing depression and suicide (including under use of eHealth), replacing institutional by community-based,socially-inclusive treatment and care models (including through the use of EU-Structural Funds), strengthening promotion and prevention as core mission of mental health systems are key objectives of EU-mental health policy. Increasing the mental health literacy of citizens and empowering patients are further priorities.Psychiatry plays a key role: where necessary, it needs to strengthen patient-centred treatment models and their practice in the community, engage more in multisectorial cooperation for early interventions, promote social inclusion of people with mental health problems, support other sectors (workplaces, schools, local communities), strengthen ties with other medical disciplines to improve their training on mental health and better treatment of co-morbidity of physical and mental disorders.In 2008, the European Commission launched the European Pact for Mental Health and Well-being. Ministers of Health adopted Council Conclusions in 2011. A Joint Action on Mental Health and Well-being co-financed from the EU-Health Programme was launched early 2013, involving more than 20 Member States. The Joint Action will review the scientific evidence and country situations, deliver country-specific policy recommendations and develop a common framework for action on mental health and well-being.Mental health is embedded in the context of EU-health policy on chronic disease.Good practices in policy and stakeholder action are collected and disseminated through the database EU Compass for Action on Mental Health and Well-being ().