Photo credit: Cyprus-Mail. copyright: Cyprus-Mail
Cyprus has officially launched its inaugural national mental health strategy, a comprehensive three-year plan aimed at addressing the growing mental health needs of its population. The strategy was unveiled on Friday by Health Minister Michael Damianos, who also announced significant upgrades planned for the Athalassa psychiatric hospital during this period.
Speaking at a press conference, Minister Damianos underscored the critical timing of this initiative, stating that the need for a national mental health plan is “more pressing than ever.” He cited concerning statistics from 2021, including 12,000 new diagnoses of emotional disorders and the issuance of over 57,000 prescriptions for antidepressant medications.
Further highlighting the need for action, a survey conducted through the national health system, Gesy, revealed that while most users were satisfied, 11 percent expressed dissatisfaction with the services provided, with a notable one-third of these specifically pointing to mental health services.
The survey also presented a concerning picture of the prevalence of mental health issues in Cyprus. The findings indicated that 17.2 percent of the population, or approximately one in six people, face a mental health challenge. This figure slightly exceeds the European Union average of 16.7 percent, or one in eight people.
Minister Damianos emphasized the cumulative impact of recent global and local events on mental wellbeing, including the lingering effects of the pandemic, geopolitical instability, the visible consequences of climate change, and ongoing financial difficulties. He noted that these factors have collectively contributed to increased stress and mental health challenges within the community.
He also highlighted the multifaceted impact of psychiatric illnesses, noting that individuals often experience not only clinical symptoms but also significant difficulties in developing and maintaining social skills and managing everyday tasks.
Cyprus’ new mental health strategy is structured around six key pillars, with a strong emphasis on proactive measures such as prevention and timely diagnosis to reduce the likelihood of mental health issues becoming chronic. The strategy also prioritizes social integration and protection for individuals with mental health conditions, the successful reintegration of these individuals into society, their active involvement in decision-making processes related to mental health policies, and the essential upgrading of both psychiatric hospital infrastructure and community-based mental health support systems.
A central and overarching goal of the strategy, according to Minister Damianos, is to actively raise public awareness about mental illness and to dismantle the pervasive stigma that often surrounds these conditions.
Over the next three years, the government has outlined a series of concrete actions to implement the strategy. These include a comprehensive review and updating of existing legislation related to mental health, the establishment of much-needed assisted living facilities to provide supportive environments, the provision of specialized training programs for mental health professionals and employers to foster understanding and support, and the enhancement of social support networks specifically for children and young people.
