Skopje, 10 October 2024 (MIA) - The University Clinic for Psychiatry marked World Mental Health Day 2024 at the Skopje City Square on Thursday, with the aim of rising awareness of the importance of mental health. Participants noted that the number of people experiencing mental health decline in the country is on the rise, and announced a series of activities for raising awareness on the topic.

Professor at the University Clinic for Psychiatry, Slavica Arsova said that the topic of mental health should be discussed openly, not behind closed door. Therefore, today they decided to discuss mental health.

Arsova stressed that mental health is not e luxury, but a need and a right of every individual. A person should be both mentally and physically healthy. She explained that mental health is not just the absence of disease, but feeling happy, joyful, and good. This year, the topic is related to mental health and the workplace where people spend most of their time during the week.

"There is something called ‘burnout’, and that is what we're saying today "let's not burnout," Arsovska noted.

The Professor stated that they gathered to raise public awareness about the most important matters at work, and those are good workplace conditions, interpersonal relationships, teamwork, and helping one another- younger, older, etc. Because, healthy people means a healthy society; and vice-versa, sick people- sick society.

In response to media questions, she said there has been an increase in the number of people with mental health problems.

"It is multifaceted, of course. It is not dependent only on one factor. Meaning, there has been an increase in patients in recent years. That doesn’t necessarily mean that people are more sick, only that they are more informed, that everything we do is enough or that awareness has improved, that we must take care of our psychological health, not only physical health, as they are inseparable," Arsova stressed.

Health Minister Arben Taravari also took part in the event and announced more activities in the Ministry's program for the coming year in coordination with the University Clinic for Psychiatry.

"In the past mental health was a taboo topic for citizens. Today it is something we face every day and truly, the goal is to collectively raise awareness about common issues, and for more people to report such issues to competent institutions," Taravari said.

He noted that the University Clinic for Psychiatry has received investments for works on the infrastructure, roof, doors, windows, interior, diagnostic methods, which will allow the clinic "as a tertiary institution and the most competent mental health institution in the country" to provide the best healthcare to patients.  ssh/ba/

Photo/video: MIA