Young people (up to 25 years of age, as stated by Horizon2020) with emotional mental disorders struggle with stigma, isolation and discrimination. However, research into the diagnosis of emotional disorders and the promotion of emotional health and well-being in young people is fragmented as researchers have traditionally worked in isolation. The valuable practice-based knowledge of mental health providers, child mental health organizations, end users, and other actors have not been echoed, thus disregarding the potential impact of their work and experience.

The PROEM network promotes age (junior and senior researchers) and gender balance, combining expertise from researchers in the field of Psychology and other disciplines. It aims to obtain a comprehensive description of assessment and promotion of emotional health and well-being in young people experiencing emotional problems. It also encourages the inclusion of under-represented groups (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities and ethnic minorities). Drawing on a diverse group of participants will ensure that the network remains sensitive to how diversity and minority status issues may affect the promotion of mental health services for young people with emotional difficulties.

One of the main objectives is to deliver a roadmap for the early diagnosis of emotional disorders and promotion of emotional health and well-being in the young to be used as input for researchers, mental health providers, end users, the school sector, civil organizations, stakeholders and policy-makers, with special consideration for the role of gender, minorities, and under-represented groups.

The PROEM network is funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness, the European Regional Development Fund, and the State Research Agency (AEI) under the PSI2015-70943-REDT and PSI2017-90650-REDT grants