Challenges of the development of mental health care in Slovenia

Abstract

With the implementation of The Mental Health Act in 2008 and The National Mental Health Programme in 2018, Slovenia made important progressive steps in the development of mental health care in the direction of community-based multidisciplinary approach on the primary level of the health and social care system. One of the main obstacles in the realization is the lack of mental health professionals – psychiatrists, psychologists and psyhotherapists. The increase of mental health problems during COVID-19 pandemic, like increased number of suicidal attempts, alcohol abuse, number of criminal attempts of domestic violence and mental health problems of children and adolescents, have further increased the need for the development of various forms of community-based multidisciplinary mental health services on the primary level.