Conference puts spotlight on mental health services for children

AMMAN — Under the patronage of HRH Princes Muna, a conference focusing on Italian mental healthcare models as well as reforming mental health systems in the region was held at the Dead Sea on Wednesday. 

The conference titled “Boosting Mental Health Services for Children and Adolescents, a Regional Perspective” was organised by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and conducted in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Thursday. 

Deputising for the princess, Health Minister Saad Jaber said the conference will be a platform of several specialisations for experts to discuss the means to present mental healthcare services to children and teenagers in order to boost their mental health.

This should limit mental health problems and bridge the treatment gap, thus reducing the burdens of mental disorders for the targeted segment, he added. 

Jaber said that Jordan signed the UN agreement to protect children and adolescents, especially in the field of mental healthcare, noting that half of mental health problems generally start at the age of 14. 

The ministry adopted a set of measures to improve mental health services by merging them with primary healthcare in 2008, Petra cited the minister as saying, adding that he voiced appreciation of the AICS for its consistent support. 

For his part, Italian Ambassador to Jordan Fabio Cassese said that the early years of childhood are more important for growth and future health than any other period in life. 

He also noted that protecting the nation’s health is a shared responsibility, and that Italy supports the mental healthcare system in Jordan through different programmes. 

The two-day conference highlighted the importance of language in healthcare services, showing how negative communication could lead individuals to isolate themselves, whereas positive reinforcement could bring compassion and hope, Petra reported.