The Parliament hosted a presentation of the thematic inquiry report “On Accessibility to Mental Health Services and Challenges in Georgia” with the initiative of the Health Care and Social Issues Committee.

The Speaker, H.E. Shalva Papuashvili addressed the attendees.

In his welcome address, the Speaker stated that mental health, to some extent, may be of a latent nature, unnoticed by society, however, its impact on the welfare and soundness of society is considerable.

“If we review various surveys, we will uncover that the effect of mental health is in fact far more substantial than of other diseases, including the effect on human lifespan, routine welfare and the skills of the people in emotion control or crisis management. Thus, the hearing of the thematic inquiry findings is imperative since, on the one hand, we need to identify the challenges in this regard, and on the other hand, outline due steps to be taken by the Parliament at the legislative and oversight levels. Besides, the executive authority will also find the inquiry outcomes as significant”.

Per assessment by the Speaker, drug addiction is one of the factors that lead to mental health disorders.

“Regrettably, certain factors, including the turbulent developments and conflicts around the country and in a wider region affected the drug crime milieu and the drug trafficking, however, the significant progress is still achieved. It is as well noteworthy to underline the segment of the users. In this regard, the government shall further undertake its human policy that was launched and established years ago, which aims at the prevention of addiction, and also provides aid in steering clear of this malady”, - he stated.

Shalva Papuashvili extended his support to the Committees in upholding thematic inquiries in this direction. According to him, it is paramount to have the thematic inquiry initiated and actively undertaken by the Parliamentary opposition member.

“Thematic inquiry constitutes one of the prominent instruments envisaged under the Rules of Procedure, assigning the Committees to direct their efforts on various issues, including the situational analysis, as well as the development of the recommendations for the executive authorities according to a uniform system. I am delighted that the Committee has scrutinized these issues with the initiative and active participation of the opposition. Thus, I would like to extend particular gratitude to Mme. Ana Tsitlidze, who is the main rapporteur on the inquiry, submitting her idea to hold an in-depth survey of the hereof problem. I believe this very endeavor evidences the significance of parliamentary cooperation and the topics that need our joint striving”, - the Speaker noted.

The Chair of the Health Committee, Zaza Lominadze addressed the attendees speaking about the objectives and grounds of an inquiry, its directions and significance.

According to him, mental health is one of the challenges indeed and the integration of people with mental disorders into society in the capacity of its dignified members stands as one of the key essences of deinstitutionalization.

“Accessibility to mental health services and the challenges are acute not only in our country but in a wider world. Hence, the Parliament and namely the Health Care Committee made a decision to set up a thematic inquiry group and backed by our donor organizations, we held a thematic inquiry in June 2023”, - he stated.

Per assessments by the First Deputy Health Minister, Tamar Gabunia, the thematic inquiry on mental health constitutes a significant achievement.

“Considerations of mental health in this venue create higher opportunities to solve the problems and challenges lingering in this sphere through systematic and long-term stable approaches”, - she noted.

The representative of the British Embassy, the Georgia Programs manager; Chris Reilly and the NDI Georgia Office Director, Alan Gillam also delivered their addresses.

The findings and recommendations of a thematic inquiry were introduced by a main rapporteur, Ana Tsitlidze.

“The thematic inquiry report aims at the facilitation of deinstitutionalization of mental health services in the country. I hope that the inquiry will bring this sphere one step closer to improvement, rending aid to all the people that need help”, - she stated.

The presentation was attended by the representatives of the legislative and executive units, international organizations and NGOs, WHO, insurance companies and doctors.

The presentation was organized by the Health Care and Social Issues Committee backed by NDI and held with the financial support of the UK International Development.