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1. National strategy(ies)

2. Improving the mental health of young people

National strategy(ies)

Resolution on National programme of Mental Health 2018–2028 (Resolucija o Nacionalnem programu duševnega zdravja 2018–2028) is a strategic document with the aim to determine measures in the field of mental health for the next decade. Adopted in March 2018 has a timeframe lasting until 2028.

Measures regarding mental health of children and adolescents are one of the priorities of the programme. It predicts the measures that would increase accessibility of relevant services and institutions, especially for the mental health of children and adolescents. Within this aim the programme predicts:

• the establishment of Centres for mental health of children and adolescents;
• counselling offices for children and adolescents;
• sub-specialist teams for children and adolescents;
• an adequate number of pedopsychiatrist cadres and psychiatric units for children and adolescents;
• introduction of the mental health concept in kindergartens and schools;
• programmes of early interventions for children and adolescents;
• expansion of existing and development of new peer support activities;
• programmes for reducing peer violence;
• programmes for particularly vulnerable and excluded youth (migrants, school drop-outs, minorities);
• online counselling for children and adolescents and preventing non-chemical addictions of children and adolescents (such as addictions related to social media and computer games).

Monitoring and implementing the strategy is the responsibility of the Ministry of Health.

The National Programme for Youth 2013–2022 (Resolucija o Nacionalnem programu za mladino 2013–2022) foresees several priority measures and their indicators:

Objective: Strengthening positive mental health and reducing suicide mortality among young people

1. reducing the number of children and young people who commit suicide. Indicator: the number of children and young people who commit suicide.
2. developing mechanisms for early recognition and treatment of young people with mental health problems. Indicator: the amount of funding earmarked for programmes to help young people in need.

Improving the mental health of young people

‘This Is Me’ (To sem jaz) prevention programme was designed by the Department of Social Medicine and Health Promotion of the Institute of Public Health Celje (NIJZ – Območna enota Celje) and was financed by the Norway Grants financial mechanism. The National Institute of Public Health (Nacionalni inštitut za javno zdravje) has implemented it since 2014 with the support of the Ministry of Health. The programme is designed to support young people in developing a positive self-image and self-esteem and teaches them life skills, thus helping to prevent the development of mental disorders. The programme does not target a specific group but is intended for the general youth population encountering difficulties. Evaluations are scheduled annually (following the school year) and carried out by the National Institute of Public Health. Positive trends are for example, showing more positive relations and positive feelings in the classroom. The programme won five domestic and international awards (Prizma 2012, Izidor 2008, Netko 2007, best poster of the European Public Health Association, Izidor 2005).