Slovakia’s Government Council for Mental Health has unanimously approved a new strategy to improve mental health care for children and young people. Health Minister Kamil Šaško (HLAS-SD) announced the decision on Monday, saying the document will now be submitted to the government for approval, before potentially going to parliament next spring.
The strategy sets out five priorities: improving access to specialists, prevention, mental health services, tackling addiction, and ensuring safety in the digital environment. It also defines specific tasks, measurable goals and responsibilities across healthcare, education, social services, the police and the justice system.
Children’s Commissioner Jozef Mikloško welcomed the plan, expressing hope it would first stabilise what he described as a critical situation, before gradually improving mental health support for young people. Terézia Rosenbergerová, the Health Ministry’s chief expert on child psychiatry, praised the strategy as thoroughly and carefully prepared.
Source: TASR
