Pandemia added anxiety and stress to Kosovars, mental health care required

The director of the Mental Health Centre in Pristina, Sami Rexhepi, stresses that Kosovo society has not been too attentive to mental health. So the consequences are now being observed for preventing the spread of COVID-19 to people.

“has started with a complete isolation, which has been perceived very much as an administrative measure, as punishment that has resulted in great anxiety, especially for young people. There hasn't been an approach like a fight against pandemic, and every individual is making his own contribution. But perceptions as an administrative measure have resulted in a rebellion that has had its consequences. All of this, however, has been because it has not been a special importance to mental health at first. Now we're dealing with the consequences, because this pandemic has created a huge fear, it's caused a stress. That mental health problems have been much larger since the end of the pandemic, which will result in post-traumatic stress disorder”, he said in an interview for Kosovo priss.

On World Mental Health Day, Rexhepi stressed the importance of mental health, adding that there is no complete well - being without mental health care.

There is no full health, no mental health. There is no healthy body without mental health. There is no mental health, no physical health. These two make one whole, and they can't separate. However, we have limited our mental health to some chronic mental - health illnesses. In fact, any inconvenience of ours, which makes us unstable, should be treated. But that treatment should not always be by health professionals, since it is enough to find support, support to overcome certain difficulties. We don't feel like we're on our own. The moment we begin to think that we feel ourselves then fear is too great and causes great pain”, he adds.

Dedicatedness to others is very important for those who are experiencing difficulties during this time.

Sami Rexhepi shows that the Mental Health Centre has 1800 chronic clients, and that there have been an increase in the number of people who have sought help during this time.

The number has increased, but not too much. Because there is still a reluctance to seek help from mental - health professionals. This has started to get over gradually, but we still need time to be incarnated even with general health, and I don't have a mental - health taboo. Because in this way a whole population is being marginalized, presenting other problems... At least we have three to five cases of getting help. However, it is not the Mental Health Center where we can be treated because of other tasks. The Mental Health Centre is small in terms of capacity”, Rexhepi points out for Kosova Prees.

According to him, it is the last moment for awareness of the matter of mental health and the same understanding that it is part of general health. He says institutions have not seriously understood the mental health issue and COVID-19.

The year has 364 days more than October 10th. There is also no physical health, no mental health. The message to all of us, the more we give attention, devotion, love, to those near us, to those we love. We too will feel good to be giving something, they will not feel themselves”, he adds.

Despite these effects on mental health as a result of pandemic, on World Mental Health Day, health institutions have not organized anything on this day's notice. Neuropsichiatri ordered that mental - health care be kept safe.