May is Mental Health Month, the theme to which is ‘Pathways to wellness. This month will give us focus on raising public awareness about the importance of mental health in people’s lives.

Kosovo has an urgent need to promote and improve mental health care programming, including treatment and awareness programs, instead of merely allowing the shame and stigma of emotional health challenges to continue. A School-based Psychological Services Program (SBPSP) is at the center of this call for action.

The SBPSP program offers psychosocial services and counseling for adolescents, by a team of psychologists. The purpose of the SBPSP is to remove barriers to accessing mental health services, and prevent and treat mental health problems among youth. It lays the foundation for a potential expansion of mental health services in Kosovo’s schools. The SBPSP program was implemented at the Gymnasium High-School “Hajdar Dushi”, in Gjakova, and “17 Shkurti”, in Obiliq, Kosovo.



Long-term application and expansion of the SBPSP program into Kosovar schools will contribute to better academic performance; will reduce disruptive behaviors in the classroom; reduce student absenteeism; reduce student conflict; and raise student motivation to study more – all these factors which contribute to more positive student concentration and involvement in class.

According to psychological studies, it is not enough for youth to get help from only family members and friends. Twenty percent of adolescents need counseling from mental health professionals.“Psychologist placement into primary and secondary schools must be done immediately. This will positively impact students’ environment and academic performance.” – says psychologist Blerta Sulhasi, SBPSP Program Director and Hope Fellow.

Even though many Kosovars have mental health challenges, it is still very difficult for people to talk about it, due to shame, fear and misperceptions. If we talk openly about mental health, as community members, we will make accessibility easier for people in need for these services.

All of us – parents, teachers, friends, journalists – can help raise awareness and overcome the stigma around mental health. Now, more than never, as a post-war country, it is time to talk about mental health issues at schools, in the media, families, at youth and other community centers, all over Kosovo.