As part of a series of health systems policy dialogues in the central Asian republics – including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – and within the framework of the Pan-European Mental Health Coalition, WHO/Europe is organizing a subregional policy dialogue to strengthen mental health efforts in the 5 countries.
The central Asian republics face common challenges in promoting the mental health and well-being of their populations. The policy dialogue will provide a platform for ministerial and expert representatives of the central Asian republics to share their experiences, build capacity and discuss future actions in key areas of mental health.
The expected outcomes of the policy dialogue are to outline key areas of interest to design a road map for strengthening mental health systems in the subregion, and to begin building a subregional network of mental health experts.
The dialogue aims to focus on key areas including how to:
- make primary health care an integral part of mental health systems, including in activities to promote mental well-being, prevent mental ill health, and identify and treat mental health conditions;
- shift towards community-based mental health care in order to provide care where people live and can benefit from the support of families and social networks;
- tackle mental health stigma and discrimination and communicate about mental health; and
- support the mental health and well-being of children, adolescents and youth.
The language of the meeting will be English and Russian.
For more information on the event, please write to: EUROMHCoalition@who.int