The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (ISN) supports the development of a new Child and Adolescent Mental Health program in Greece, with a time horizon of five years and a total $ 15 million budget.
Research in a number of countries (Costello et al., 2014; Fatori et al., 2019) reveals that only 1 in 5 children with mental health issues receive some form of care from mental health professionals. The intention of the ISN, as it points out in its announcement, is to contribute to the reversal of the above condition, to contribute to the strengthening of the mental health system, to strengthen the professionals in the front line and to help, consequently, the young people and their families, take care of their mental health in a timely and appropriate manner.
“The COVID-19 pandemic revealed not only the weaknesses of national health systems, but also of mental health infrastructure. However, at the same time, it brought about one – perhaps the only – positive change: it helped fight the stigma that accompanies mental illness. “, reports the president of ISN, Andreas Drakopoulos. “All of us at ISN are here to support, to the best of our ability, the work of mental health professionals specializing in children and adolescents and to improve young people’s access to mental health services, no matter where they live, or their financial capacity. Because mental health services should not be a luxury or a privilege for the few, but a given benefit for anyone who needs it, since childhood. “ adds.
The new program is part of the Health Initiative, totaling more than $ 500 million to support Public Health in Greece, and consists of three main pillars:
1.Design and implementation of educational programs for mental health professionals and psychosocial support of children and adolescents.
2. Establishment of a Reference Network for child mental health, with local centers throughout Greece, in areas such as Alexandroupoli, Thessaloniki, Ioannina, Athens, and Crete.
3.Development of new technologies and digital tools, both for clinical and research purposes of the industry, as well as electronic media for the wider community.
For the implementation of the program and with the support of the Ministry of Health, ISN collaborates with the Child Mind Institute of the United States of America, at the same time establishing new collaborations and synergies with hospitals, institutions and mental health professionals across the country. The aim is to combine domestic and international experience to strengthen the industry, guided by the best interests of the children and the response to real needs in the field. Particular emphasis is placed on the region, where high needs are identified, as well as on remote areas with limited access to mental health services.
The center of the Reference Network that is planned to be developed in Thessaloniki, will be housed in the Mental Health Unit of Children and Adolescents of the new, under construction, University Pediatric Hospital of Thessaloniki ISN, which is expected to be completed and delivered to Greek society in 2025.
“Mental health is an issue that concerns us all and together we will find ways to ensure it,” the ISN statement concludes.
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