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Task force dealing with underage psychiatric healthcare launched in Poland

PR dla Zagranicy
Alicja Baczyńska 22.02.2018 12:33
The Polish health ministry has set up a group tasked with improving psychiatric healthcare for children and teenagers.
Bild: rubberduck1951/pixabay.com/CC0 Creative Commons

A study by the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Warsaw found that 20 percent of underage Poles show symptoms of depression.

From four to eight percent of people aged to 18 suffer from clinical depression and require specialist treatment and support, the study said.

Headed by deputy health minister Zbigniew Król, the task group comprises acclaimed psychiatrists from across Poland.

“The aim of the team is to work out solutions that will improve psychiatric healthcare for children and teenagers in the country,” Professor Janusz Heitzman said.

“At present, the number of patients in psychiatric wards for the underaged changes depending on the season,” Heitzman said, adding: “50 percent of hospital beds are occupied in summer, whereas during the school year, from September to June, patients exceed the bed capacity by 140 percent.”

There are no more than 250 medical practitioners specialising in psychiatric treatment for children and teenagers in Poland, Heitzman said. (aba/pk)

Source: IAR, PAP

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