On May 17, 2017, the Public Defender of Georgia organized a working meeting on mental health issues.

At the opening of the meeting, Public Defender Ucha Nanuashvili noted that the event aimed at discussing the current situation, challenges and future plans in the field of mental health by involvement of state agencies, civil society representatives and specialists of the mentioned field.

Zaza Sopromadze, Deputy Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, spoke about the perspectives and changes implemented in the field of mental health, including expected changes in the funding methodology, namely in terms of children's psychiatric aid, which will be discussed by the Government of Georgia in the nearest future.

Nino Makhashvili, Executive Director of the Foundation - Global Initiative in Psychiatry, briefed the meeting participants of the project "Expert Assessment of Privatization of Mental Health Institutions in Georgia" being carried out by the organization. She noted that a research report was being prepared and results would soon be known to the public.

The participants of the working meeting discussed the challenges in the field of mental health, including inpatient and outpatient psychiatric assistance, quality medical care and development of alternative community services. With regard to the latter, it was noted that participation of local self-government bodies together with the central government was important.

Special attention was paid to the topic of privatization of psychiatric institutions, as well as integration and optimization of the institutions. The necessity of the involvement of representatives of the sector in the mentioned processes and monitoring of the activities carried out by investors was emphasized at the meeting.

The event was summarized by Public Defender Ucha Nanuashvili. He noted that the Public Defender's Office would continue to support similar meetings, which would facilitate consistent resolution of the problems existing in the field of mental health.

The next working meeting on mental health issues will be held in the near future.