Mental Health Self-Management Self-Test (SMST)
Project Founder & Leader:
Dr. Peter Wehmeier
Background and Rational: The mental health of the world population is deteriorating at an alarming rate, recently made worse by the global pandemic. It is estimated that adults reporting depressive or anxious states has increased from 10% in 2019 to 40% today.
Self-management is an active approach to dealing with the challenges of a globalized world. Self-management is based on the theory of self-regulation, self-efficacy and shared learning. This approach can help you to cope with difficulties and improve your ability to manage yourself and others well. Self-management can help you to strengthen your self-regulation capacity and develop individual strategies to prevent mental exhaustion.
The Self-Management Self-Test (SMST) was developed to assess your self-management competence. It consists of five questions, each one of which relates to one of the five dimensions of self-management. Each question is answered on a scale of 0 to 4 points. At the end of the test, all points are added up to give you the final result. This result tells you how you are doing presently and how high your self-management competence is.
Project Aim: To popularize the Self-Management Self-Test (SMST), a scientifically validated mental health assessment, across the globe to allow for individuals to self-assess and self-manage their mental wellbeing.
Objective: To provide tools and resources to individuals who have self-assessed themselves and have determined they need additional help in achieving mental wellness.
Solution: In an effort to address this problem, the SMST bridge the gap between those who need help and the isolation they are facing no matter race, religion, geographical location, socio-economic status or political affiliation.
Project References:
The SMST is based on the self-management concept developed by Dr. Peter M. Wehmeier, whose approach is explained in detail in his book:
Wehmeier PM (2016) Erfolg ist, wenn es mir gut geht! Burnout vermeiden durch Selbstmanagement. Second Edition, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen.
ISBN: 978-3-525-40449-2
The SMST was validated in a clinical study that included patients with depression as well as people without depression. The most important study results were published in a scientific journal: