JORDAN, OCTOBER 4TH – Taking place in Amman is currently the conference ‘Reinforcing health services and systems for the mental health of children and adolescents- a regional prospective’ organized by the Italian Agency of Cooperation for Development (Aics), in collaboration with the Jordanian Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy.
Jordan is among the signatories of the UN agreement to protect children and adolescents, especially in regards to mental well-being. The aim of this conference is to help improve mental health services for the youth in Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon and Iraq by gathering political leaders, scientists, researches and employees in the field and sharing obstacles, opportunities and solutions.
Mental health is vital not only for the well-being of individuals but also for the life of communities as a whole. Nevertheless, mental health problems are often overlooked in medium and low income countries. As it has proven to effect 10-20% of children worldwide, mental health is gradually becoming a priority in the global agenda, especially in regards to the youth in countries where health care is still underdeveloped.
The conference hosts diverse sessions which, among other things, will focus on the studying of the Italian mental health systems model. Italy is an exemplar in the field, and is watched with interest by Middle Eastern Countries. In 1978, through what is known as the Basaglia Law, Italy transformed the paradigm for mental health treatment, placing an unprecedented emphasis on prevention, the organization of territorial services and the participation of family and friends in the treatment process. (@OnuItalia)
