Prishtinë, 10 October 2023 – World Health Organization has designated the 10^th of October of each year as World Mental Health Day, to boost public awareness and efforts in support of mental health worldwide. This year, the slogan “Mental health is a universal human right” has been set in the center of marking of this day.”.

The symbolism of the day serves to draw attention and raise awareness, in particular of responsible authorities, on the sensitivity that mental health draws and the need for dignified and suitable treatment of those affected by mental health problems.

It is plain that the economic and social context of the country affects the general well-being, and as a result burdens more specific categories of society, often not solely the affected person but also the entire family and even more. States are obliged to ensure access to mental health services, conditions, food, suitable housing to persons’ needs, who have been diagnosed with such diseases, or those who have problems of this nature, but are not aware of this or don’t know whom to address to get the necessary services.

The Ombudsperson, in his work, pursuant to the mandate and responsibilities entrusted, has continuously raised, especially in recent years, the concern about the state in which people, belonging to this community, remain.

Particular and very specific category are persons with mental illness who are in conflict with the law. Although Kosovo has the Institute of Forensic Psychiatry, its capacities are insufficient for placement of persons who have committed criminal offenses and have mental disorders. Due to the lack of capacity in this establishment, these people end up in prisons where the perpetrators of other crimes are also held. In such circumstances, apart inappropriate conditions for them, very difficult and unmanageable circumstances are also created for the police/custodian staff. Despite efforts to increase capacities, this establishment continue to face difficulties in this aspect.

The Ombudsperson has recently addressed a report regarding the visit of the NPM to the Psychiatric Clinic of the University Clinical Center of Kosovo – Emergency and Intensive Psychiatric Care. The report has focused on the assessment of respect of basic rights of people with mental problems, hospitalized in the closed ward of the Psychiatric Clinic for involuntary treatment, who have been brought there for treatment by the police or by family members.

On the occasion of the World Mental Health Day, the Ombudsperson calls upon for undertaking of prompt and concrete actions by relevant institutions, in order to improve the situation in this aspect. In this regard, the first step would be finalization of the amendments to the Law on Mental Health, as well as issuing of Regulations which enable operationalization of legal liabilities.