2024 Central Asia & Eastern Europe Mental Health Forum: Key Insights & Initiatives

Event Highlights

Date: 7 October 2024

The forum discussed mental health policies, stigma reduction, and access to care. Topics included positive parenting, compassionate care, non-violent child-rearing, substance abuse prevention, and vaccination strategies. A study on adverse childhood experiences in Kazakhstan was also presented.

Nikolay Negay, a mental health consultant at WHO Kazakhstan, stated, “Over 1 billion people globally live with mental disorders. Sharing experiences is vital. Central Asian and Eastern European countries are collaborating for the first time in this format.”

Two key initiatives were announced: a study on a mental health service deinstitutionalization questionnaire and a pilot project for mental health service standards for children and adolescents in the WHO European Region. These initiatives aim to improve mental health service access and quality.

Forum delegates recommended measures to enhance mental health and well-being in the subregion based on discussions and evidence presented.

Event Notice

Date: 25 September 2024

The Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan, in partnership with WHO/Europe and the World Psychiatric Association, will hold a Subregional Forum from 25–27 September in Astana. The theme is “Mental Health: Defying Stereotypes – Opening Facts.”

The forum aims to create a platform for dialogue on mental health promotion in Central Asia and Eastern Europe, aligned with the “Roadmap for Health and Well-being in Central Asia (2022–2025).”

Delegations from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan will attend.