In Ukraine in 2023, about 135 thousand patients complained of mental health problems, the most common complaints are related to anxiety and sleep disturbances.
This was reported by the Ministry of Health, Ukrinform reports.
“During 2023, about 135 thousand patients received assistance under the package “Support and treatment of adults and children with mental disorders at the primary level of medical care.” Women complained most about mental health problems – more than 72 thousand. Also included are data on visits to primary care doctors. more than 18 thousand children reported complaints about mental health,” the Ministry of Health informed.
Often in 2023, such patients complained of feelings of anxiety/nervousness/tension – 66,537 complaints; sleep disorder – 42,830 calls. There were 27,358 calls for psychological symptoms/other complaints; complaints of depressed mood – 10,932 complaints; for children's behavior – 7717 requests; memory violation – 6625 hits, etc.
As noted in the Ministry of Health, in order to provide healthcare services, “primary” doctors undergo appropriate training. To scale up such training, on December 29, 2022, on December 29, 2022, the online course “Management of common mental disorders at the primary level of health care using the mhGAP guideline” was launched on the platform of the NHSU Academy. More than 80,000 people have successfully completed it, including almost 17,000 primary care physicians.
A trained family doctor, internist or pediatrician can provide the patient with basic services and, if necessary, refer to a specialized specialist. psychologist/psychiatrist/psychotherapist 35,457 patients, neurologist/pediatric neurologist – 22,470 patients, psychologist/psychiatrist/psychotherapist – 20,853 patients.
As the Ministry of Health notes, such services are free of charge, because they are provided within the framework of the Medical Guarantee Program. Currently, more than 70% of “primary” communal institutions have a signed contract with the NHSU for the package “Support and treatment of adults and children with mental disorders at the primary level of medical care.” In total, almost 1,000 health facilities covering 4,000 sites across the country provide free health services under this package.
Integration of mental health services into primary health care is a component of the Ministry of Health's priority project; within the framework of the All-Ukrainian mental health program “How are you?” – initiatives of First Lady Elena Zelenskaya and is being implemented within the framework of the National Strategy for creating a barrier-free space in Ukraine for the period until 2030. The barrier-free strategy was developed at the initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenskaya.
As Ukrinform reported, in early March the Ministry of Health approved a new procedure for providing psychiatric care in inpatient settings, the main principle of which is the priority of human rights and dignity.
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