In order to further align Serbian legal and institutional framework in the area of mental health with the European Joint Action (on) Mental Health and Well-being and European Framework for Action on Mental Health and Well-being, support was provided to the Ministry of Health in June and July 2018.
Recommendations were developed for draft Strategy on mental health policy and the Action Plan as regards new demands in the process of deinstitutionalisation, by a means of establishing a network of community based mental health services, in accordance with the EU and international standards in the area.
The recommendations were developed based on the analysis of the current national mental health legislation, relevant policy related documents, along with information sessions with key mental health experts, and a series of visits to mental health services (e.g. Institute of Mental Health, psychiatric hospital and a community mental health centre in Niš).
A workshop was organised for key stakeholders and experts on 5th July, focusing on three main components: 1) European mental health policies and international requirements; 2) The new national Mental Health Strategy and Action Plan (including key considerations for the Serbian model of mental health care); 3) Implementation process for the Strategy & Action Plan.
