Health Resort will support mental health care in Slovakia from the recovery plan

Pandemic COVID-19 increased the strain on the mental health care system in Slovakia. Social isolation, physical contact restrictions and economic uncertainty have negatively affected people's mental health across all ages. Pandemic has thus highlighted the need to improve mental health care in Slovakia and increase its availability. Therefore the Ministry of Health through the Recovery and Resilience Plan of the Slovak Republic will support the training of professionals in the field of mental health care.

During the pandemic Slovakia was literally a soul. However, regardless of COVID-19, there is much room for improving mental health care. According to available statistics, at least four percent of the population suffer from one or more mental illnesses. Improved care is not only medical dimension, but also social. Mental diseases are also related to poverty, education or crime. says Ján Krajči, Director General of the Implementation Section of the Recovery and Resilience Plan and Reforms.

Therefore, the health department is currently calling for the training of professionals in mental health care. Challenge: Training of health professionals is addressed to mental health professionals in health care establishments. For psychologists, nurses, speech teachers, medical educators, paramedics and other occupations, overall support is allocated almost Three million euros.

Eligible applicants can receive between EUR 250 and 6000 depending on the focus of the study. A maximum amount per application of EUR 6000 shall be fixed for certification studies. The resort will support applications for educational activities for community mental health care with a maximum amount of EUR 2000.

Eligible costs are relevant mental health care courses and training programmes. The Ministry shall support educational activities that will take place by 31 January 2025. The request for funding of the mechanism may also be made for activities already undertaken after 1 February 2020.

For more information see: Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic (gov.sk)