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FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH. FOR THE FUTURE.

 

HELP US TO JOINTLY PROVIDE THE MOST EFFICIENT ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN, TEACHERS AND PARENTS IN OVERCOMING TRAUMA AND TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROMOTION OF THE MENTAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH.

The tragic events that struck us in early May, ending the lives of many children and young people, deeply shook our country, the region and the whole world.

Serbia had never seen anything like that before.

Research from countries affected by school shootings shows that all who have managed to avoid any physical injury remain scarred for many years, too. The consequences may lead to the development of mental health problems, increased absenteeism and negative impact on school performance. Twenty-eight percent of the people who have experienced a mass shooting may develop post-traumatic stress disorder, while about one third have acute stress disorder.

Within 72 hours, we developed materials and recommendations for parents and professionals, to provide advice not only to the children and families of those directly affected by the traumatic experience, but also to all children and young people, their families and the general public who may experience the consequences of anxiety and intensified stress.

At the same time, these experiences are a warning reminding us of the necessity to work persistently on the prevention of violence and the promotion of mental health, as well as an opportunity to enable the development of systemic support and rapid psychological growth of children and youth.

At the invitation of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, UNICEF invests its experience, knowledge and resources in providing psychological support, in cooperation with specialists experienced in treating trauma, as well as in ensuring the provision of long-term support to the promotion of the mental health of children and youth.

Your donation will enable:

1. ENGAGEMENT OF PSYCHOTHERAPISTS

Provision of intensive psychosocial support to the children, parents and teachers who have survived the tragedy. The support entails engaging the most experienced professionals specialising in the treatment of the consequences of trauma through individual and group psychological sessions.

2. ONLINE PSYCHOSOCIAL COUNSELLING FOR YOUTH VIA THE “Sve Je OK” (Everything Is OK) PLATFORM

Provision of free telephone and online counselling support to children, youth and parents throughout the country. The service is provided through partnership with the Institute of Mental Health, Serbian Psychological Society and NADEL (National Children’s Line). It is confidential and provided free of charge by trained counsellors.

3. IMPROVING YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES

Delivery of integrated mental health care services for adolescents and youth through continuous work of schools, primary health care centres, centres for social work and youth centres. Young people need available psychosocial services in their communities in order to be informed and educated on how to overcome mental health problems.
Thank you for your commitment to supporting the promotion of the mental health of children and youth in Serbia