- We know that these are very difficult issues. In the last term, we began to talk about these problems loudly and even shout about them," said Senate Speaker Malgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, opening a conference on supporting the mental health of children and young people through inclusive education.
Youth mental health prevention requires concerted action. Their axis should be the school
Published May 20, 2024 12:26
fot. Piotr Wójcik
According to Dr. Aleksandra Lewandowska, national consultant for child and adolescent psychiatry, interdepartmental action is needed above all in shaping proper care and prevention aimed at improving the mental health of the youngest part of society. Good cooperation with the Ministry of National Education is crucial.
- The enrollment of psychiatrists is strongly correlated with the school year calendar. The highest occupancy rates, sometimes exceeding the contract with the National Health Service, occur in offices during the time when children go to school. Below the contract, however, it falls during the vacations. Meanwhile, access to school support varies in different regions of our country. What we are all concerned about is that it should be the same in every county, even the smallest. It can't be that we have local governments that are more active and places where this area is neglected," said Dr. Aleksandra Lewandowska in an interview with a Medexpress reporter.
Environmental factors are primarily responsible for the onset of disorders in children and adolescents, she added. The well-being of this group is influenced by whether and what actions are taken by adults. This is especially true given that one in seven adolescents face mental disorders and need specialized care.
Senate Speaker Malgorzata Kidawa-Błońska acknowledged that the challenge is that it is at the school level that young people can find targeted support for their needs.
- The school, which should be a partner, helping to solve problems, very often, by excluding certain groups, created them. We have more and more knowledge and experience. We want to proceed with comprehensive problem solving," she said.
- We are in the midst of reforms. Undoubtedly, it is necessary to continue them wisely, but also to subsidize this area and act interdepartmentally. The Ministry of Education has been present in the subject of mental health from the very beginning. In the current government, we have in the Ministry of Education a plenipotentiary for mental health of school children. This is very important," pointed out MP Marta Golbik, chairwoman of the Parliamentary Group on Mental Health of Children and Adolescents, in an interview with our editorial board.
