The signing of the Memorandum implements a multi-level program launched by the Special Secretariat for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors of the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum in collaboration with SOS Children’s Villages.
An important step in the long chain of protection of unaccompanied minors was carried out today by the Deputy Ministers of Immigration and Asylum and Health Sofia Voultepsi, responsible for Integration and Unaccompanied Minors, and Zoi Rapti, responsible for Mental Health.
The reason for the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministries of Immigration and Asylum and Health, in order to strengthen a particularly vulnerable population hosted in our country and facing many mental health problems. These are children who have experienced the consequences of war and poverty, with special needs that often prevent their integration into Greek society.
The signing of the Memorandum implements a multi-level program launched by the Special Secretariat for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors of the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum in collaboration with SOS Children’s Villages.
The Mental Health Hub is based on the principles of a holistic approach and is funded by the Tyrolean Government and SOS Children’s Villages Austria. The aim of the program is to support and develop the skills of employees, as well as to promote the mental health of unaccompanied minors.
It is worth noting that the program has already had tangible results in strengthening the professional training of the staff of the Centers for Unaccompanied Minors: 518 professionals have been trained in topics such as developmental psychology, issues of bereavement and loss, while in just 3 months 79 clinic meetings will have been completed supervision of the staff of the Centers for Unaccompanied Minors.
Already, the synergy between the two ministries has yielded the first fruits, thanks to the cooperation with the psychosocial support telephone line 10306 of the Ministry of Health and the public mental health system.
The contribution of the hotline is extremely important and essential as it will now be able to support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in cases that arise in accommodation centers for unaccompanied minors throughout Greece. This ensures the support of professionals and the provision of immediate solutions through crisis management protocols, while the direct collaboration with the Ministry of Health creates a solid bridge of referrals to the public system and provides sustainable solutions to children in need.
The multiple levels of the program, the education and training of professionals, their relief and the strengthening of staff relations through clinical supervisions and intervention in unaccompanied children create the right conditions for the effective support and protection of the most vulnerable children. Professionals are supported and empowered to be able to adequately support children experiencing mental health issues.
On behalf of the SOS Children’s Villages, the Memorandum was co-signed by the Vice-President, Mrs. Alexandra Konteli, while present at the signing were the Special Secretary for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors, Mr. Iraklis Moskoff, the Consul of the Austrian Embassy, ​​Mrs. Sonja Harreither, and the General Director of the SOS Villages, etc. George Protopapas.
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