Johnová (Prague to herself): The seminar on children’s mental health removed the lack of prevention
15.05.2022 12:28 | Press Release
A seminar on the mental health care of children was held at the Old Town Hall in Prague under the auspices of the City Council. Milena Johnová in Prague, as part of the European Mental Health Week.
The meeting brought together professionals from different fields and brought a lot of inspiration and good practice for creating the necessary networks of children’s mental health support services in the regions. The event highlighted the lack of community and prevention services and highlighted the need for inter-ministerial cooperation.
Children and mental health, a phrase that has been resonating strongly in society in recent times. Many children and adolescents still struggle with the consequences of deteriorating mental health associated with the spread of covid-19 and the associated restrictions. Concentration disorders are increasing significantly, alcohol consumption is increasing, and the number of anxiety states, depression, self-harm and suicide are also increasing. The war in Ukraine and the influx of refugees into the Czech Republic may result in further deterioration of mental health in both children and the adult population. In the context of dramatic social events, more than ever, it shows how important it is to pay attention to mental health and how important it is to create and function a care system.
“They have long been aware of how serious and strong the topic of mental health of children and young people is – and what reserves Prague and other regions have in developing a network of necessary services. The capital is dedicated to the development of inter-ministerial cooperation in this area, the first teams are already being set up, and the topic is one of our priorities. The huge interest in the seminar showed us the need of all parties involved, especially to participate in the creation of missing services and cooperation, “said Milena Johnová at the beginning of the seminar in the field of social policy and health care.
- PRAGUE TO ITSELF
- regional councilor
The aim of the seminar was to pay attention to children and adolescents on the topic of mental health, to present programs that bring the necessary changes in the care of mental health of children and children and co-create an effective and supportive system regardless of the department. Thus, various services could be introduced – from prevention to crisis management.
“We would very much like the wide range of services presented to inspire participants to devote themselves, to find ways of working and methods that they prove to be effective. These are mainly multidisciplinary programs that connect the ministries of education, social and health services and are available in the community as close as possible to children, parents and schools, “said Pavel Novak, director of the Metropolitan Health Service (MZS) and coordinator of regional mental health care reform. .
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“For the second year in a row, we are seeing an increase in the number of children at risk of mental health in our services. Compared to adults with mental illness, children come to the forefront of working with the entire family system, the dysfunction or weakness of which indicates that problems arise. A functional support system stands in cooperation between individual actors, which are the family – school – social and health support and prevention system. These are completely different worlds that they often do not understand. In addition, the more important the actors, the more important it is for someone to coordinate support, “said Miroslava Flemrová, director of the House of Three Wishes.” detection of problems and non-psychiatrists of all experts. If we do nothing now, we will address the negative effects on children’s mental health deep in their adulthood, and it will be much more expensive than investing in prevention. ”
Psychotherapist Masha Volynsky introduced the participants of the current project MZS – Multidisciplinary Team, which will provide psychosocial support for refugees from Ukraine to the most vulnerable groups, ie women and children who fall under the current crisis intervention system and are at risk of long-term mental health problems or post-traumatic disorder.
“Children, even if they have not lost a loved one in the war, can still experience the trauma of losing their home, their national identity, their ability to easily negotiate and understand their surroundings. Trauma and stress will be assisted by Ukrainian and Russian-speaking specialists in child psychology, many of whom have now also come from Ukraine. Here, the active cooperation of schools and other institutions with these specialists and their willingness to provide care to special Ukrainian children in some cases is essential, “said team coordinator Masha Volynsky.
The meeting was part of the mental health care reform and followed on from the two-year work of the working group for Prague and Central Bohemia. As part of pilot projects, three Mental Health Centers for Children have already been established, and there are only two in Prague and the Central Bohemian Region so far. Current practice shows the need for the development of these centers in all regions of the Czech Republic, and thus a multiple increase in their number.
Children and young people made extensive contributions to the seminar, shared their stories and commented on the topics presented. The seminar was attended by over 120 employees of social and health care providers, primary and secondary school teachers and representatives of public administration from Prague and the Central Bohemian Region. The event was organized in cooperation with the City of Prague. m Prague Metropolitan Medical Service, which is responsible for the development of mental health services in Prague.
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author: PV