On May 18, 2023, a significant event that resonated with the people of Slovenia — “Festival duševnega zdravja”(the Mental Health Festival) – took place in Ljubljana. With mental health taking a high priority on the public health agenda in 2023, the festival aimed to bring awareness and emphasize the importance of mental health.
The event was co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union. It was organized under the expertise of the National Institute of Public Health,in the frame of the Antistigma project “Nisi okej? Povej naprej.” (You are not okey? Tell someone ahead.) and the Programme MIRA – National Programme of Mental Health. The event’s aim was helped to bring mental health closer to the residents of Slovenia, transcending the mere absence of illness and focusing on the broader aspects of well-being.
The roundtable, titled “In the Care of People’s Mental Health,” served as the introduction to the Mental Health Festival event. It featured a conversation with the following ministers: Dr. Igor Papič, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation; Dr. Darja Felda, Minister of Education; Luka Mesec, Minister for Labour, Family, Social Affairs, and Equal Opportunities; Dr. Asta Vrečko, Minister for Culture; and Danijel Bešič Loredan, Minister for Health. The roundtable aimed to bring attention to the importance of mental health in the Slovenian population and stimulate a debate on how different ministries and departments can collaborate in providing mental health care. It also aimed to highlight good practices, draw attention to pressing topics in the field of mental health care, and identify opportunities for improvement. The conversation on mental health at ministerial level was important, as cooperation between different ministries is key to addressing mental health in an integrated way, contributing to more effective policies, steering funding more efficiently, bringing different sectors together and raising awareness of society.
The Mental Health Festival proved to be a resounding success, offering visitors an array of activities and resources to explore. These included ten diverse lectures on mental health care and thirteen workshops where participants could learn practical skills to help maintain and strengthen their mental health. A special feature of the event was personal talks and advice sessions for parents and future parents, focusing on how to support their own and their children’s mental health.
The festival also featured dedicated corners where various activities took place: the Myth-Busting Corner aimed at reducing stigma around mental health by dispelling common myths and misconceptions; the Creative Corner was a space for self-expression, with attendees invited to create collages to articulate their feelings and emphasize the significance of mental health; the Living Library offered a chance to converse with individuals who have personal experiences of recovering from mental distress; the Physical Activity Corner, manned by professional trainers, introduced moderate forms of exercise that can enhance overall health and wellbeing, even for those who are less physically active. More than 45 different Slovene organizations involved in taking care of people’s mental health also presented themselves at the festival.
The opening of the event was attended by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, who addressed the gathering and expressed her support as the honorary patron of the Mental Health Festival.
The event upheld the principles of human rights protection, striving to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, ultimately working towards the optimal mental wellbeing of the entire community. It marked a significant step in the ongoing effort for better mental health understanding and care in Slovenia and set a precedent for future mental health initiatives.
More information about the event can be found on: https://www.zadusevnozdravje.si/
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