Press briefing on Mental Health Plan – Psychological Stability and Wellbeing: implementation, actions and prospects, 2022–2027

From left to right: Virginie Van Klaveren, Lead Administrator for the Department of Health Affairs; Alexandre Bordero, Director of Health Affairs; Didier Gamerdinger, Minister of Health and Social Affairs; and Dr Valérie Aubin, Head of the Psychiatry Service at Princess Grace Hospital. © Government Communication Department / Michael Alesi

At a press briefing on Thursday 3 March, Minister of Health and Social Affairs Didier Gamerdinger, surrounded by Dr Valérie Aubin, Head of the Psychiatry Service at Princess Grace Hospital, Alexandre Bordero, Director of Health Affairs, and Virginie Van Klaveren, Lead Administrator for the Department of Health Affairs, presented the Mental Health Plan: “Psychological Stability and Wellbeing”.

The plan covers the next five years (2022–2027) and aims to provide a response including health, medical and social services for people experiencing mental health issues throughout their lives.

The mental health plan has three strands:

- promotion of mental health, prevention and early identification of mental distress and addiction;

- guaranteed coordinated care pathways, supported by accessible, wide-ranging and high-quality psychiatry provision;

- continued efforts to improve living conditions and social inclusion, reintegrate people with mental disabilities and combat stigma.

This ambitious plan was developed in an innovative and collaborative way, emerging from the discussions of various working groups that involved all stakeholders in the Principality (Department of Justice, National Council, Monaco City Hall, Police Department, Department of Education, Youth and Sport, Department of Social Welfare and Social Services, Princess Grace Hospital, Office of Occupational Medicine, healthcare professionals and various charities). It therefore offers a comprehensive and coordinated view of the mental health solutions needed in the Principality of Monaco.

Didier Gamerdinger said that he wanted “to give fresh impetus to the consideration of psychological stability in people for whom the Principality is responsible, using innovative techniques and a caring approach. It is our duty to listen to these people and offer them care and support, without making value judgements and ensuring that we never stigmatise their distress.”