Mental health project in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health, Association XY, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Zenica and 18 health centers, today formalized the beginning of the professional development of health associates (psychologists and social workers) from mental health centers in the Federation of BiH for child and adolescent psychotherapy and systemic family therapy.

In this connection, the signing of the contract on the implementation of the project took place today. The contract was signed on behalf of the University of Zenica by the Rector Prof. Dr.Sc. Damir Kukić. The signing ceremony at the Hills Hotel in Sarajevo was also attended by Prof. Dr.Sc. Harun Hodžić, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, M.Sc. Adisa Krehmić, secretary, assistant professor, Ph.D. Adnan Mujezinović, vice dean for teaching and student affairs and senior assistant Mirza Oruč, ECTS coordinator of the University of Zenica.

In this way, for the first time, an organized form of professional development of healthcare associates will be introduced for the provision of innovative services in the field of mental health with the aim of improving the quality of services for children and adolescents and families by applying modern techniques for the prevention of the development of severe disorders and their recovery.

Considering the risk factors, such as domestic violence, peer violence, risky behavior of young people, and indicators that show that around 50% long-term mental disorders begin before the age of 14, the improvement of mental health services for children and adolescents is imperative. For this reason, the third phase of the Mental Health Project in Bosnia and Herzegovina is focused on improving mental health services for children and adolescents and work with their families.

The two-year education for psychologists will be conducted at the Faculty of Medicine in Zenica, and for social workers in cooperation with the Association for Systemic Practice USPIT.

The mental health project in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is supported by the Government of Switzerland, is implemented by Association XY in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Republic of Srpska.