New Mental Health strategy unveiled in Kosovo

Mental health is not an individual issue, but a community responsibility. This was stated at a roundtable organized by the Ministry of Health of Kosovo on the occasion of Mental Health Awareness Week, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Naim Bardiqi, emphasized how the Ministry of Health has worked to improve the quality of life of people with mental disorders.

Bardiqi said that 7 clinical guidelines have been developed, a draft law on mental health has been drafted, as well as the strategic plan for mental health 2025-2030.

"The theme of this year's awareness week is community. The aim is to celebrate the power and importance of community. Being part of a safe and positive community is vital to our mental health and well-being. Mental health is a topic that affects each of us, it is not an issue that should be thought of and treated as an individual issue. Mental health should be thought of as a community responsibility....The Ministry of Health continues to be committed to improving the quality of life of people with mental disorders, to reduce the stigma around mental health, and has taken all actions to increase the importance of mental health for the equal treatment without discrimination of people with mental disorders in order to respect physical integrity and human dignity," he said.

The Director of the Psychiatric Clinic, Faton Kutllovci, stated that they are working on profiling this clinic. He said that this week of awareness for mental health should be used to combat the stigma towards people who suffer from these problems.

May 13th to May 19th is known as Mental Health Awareness Week.