- It is not enough just to outline the strategy. It has to be followed by action. This is why the Polish state is allocating PLN 650 million for the psychological therapy centres. Very soon it will be PLN 700 million – said the Prime Minister.

Psychological support for children and  youth

The Head of the government pointed out that the centre that is to be opened in Tarczyn is meant to help children and youth overcome the various problems of modern times - growing up in the shadow of a pandemic or the war in Ukraine.

- Because of these difficult circumstances, children have to accept hundreds of impulses. Our children are going through the rapid changes associated with growing up, but at the same time, the reality around them is changing very quickly and presents them with all sorts of challenges – added the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki stressed that the state supports mental healthcare of children and youth by opening centres and allocating additional funds for therapeutic and psychological help.

Key premises of child and adolescent mental healthcare system reform

We put a special emphasis on providing services in the patient's environment. At least 15% of the services provided in outpatient clinics will be carried out in the community. Children and youth can access psychological, psychotherapeutic and environmental services without doctor’s referral. Only those in need of psychiatric diagnosis or drug therapy will be referred to specialists.

The regulation concerning  the new professions of child and adolescent mental health professionals will improve the quality of the provided support.

New model of mental healthcare for minors

New model of mental healthcare for children and youth consists of three reference levels: 

level I – Community Centre for Child and Adolescent Psychology and Psychotherapy

One of the main premises of the reform  was to build a network of centres with psychologists, psychotherapists and community therapists. We already have 203 centres of this type across the country. The plan is to build approximately 300.

level II – Child and Adolescent  Mental Health Centre

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre would employ a psychiatrist and the patients requiring more intensive care would be able to use the services in the day ward. One centre of this kind would support several neighbouring  counties.

level III – Highly Specialised 24-hour Psychiatric Care Centre

The Highly Specialised 24-hour Psychiatric Care Centres are established mostly to help patients requiring the most specialised type of assistance, particularly those in life and health emergencies, admitted on an emergency basis.

The new model of mental healthcare was first introduced with the Regulation of the Health Minister of 14 August 2019, amending the regulation on regulation on guaranteed benefits in the field of psychiatric care and addiction treatment

More effective therapeutic interventions for young patients

Child and Adolescent Mental Healthcare Centre offers a comprehensive support, both medical and social. A child is not the only one receiving help, but also its family and peer group. The facility operates in the premises mode, but in the place of residence.

It is also important to coordinate services for young patients and their families by all public services - social welfare centres, educational and psychological counselling centres, GPs or schools. Unlike hospital treatment - which involves the temporary isolation of patients - a community centre involves their full participation in social life. This centre is one of 11 such facilities in Poland, launched as a pilot thanks to European Funds.

Counselling and activities in the newly established day ward will be held in rooms with modern equipment. The children with developmental disorders will also have the following facilities at their disposal in the building: World Experience Room, numerous therapy rooms, teaching rooms, sensory integration rooms.