Ávarp í umræðu um heilbrigðismál og mannréttindi

Þorvarður Atli Þórsson, sendiráðunautur, flutti 24. júní 2019 ávarp í mannréttindaráðinu í sérstakri umræðu um heilbrigðismál.

Clustered interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Health and Special Rapporteur on Leprosy

24 June 2019

Statement by Iceland

Iceland thanks the Special Rapporteurs for their latest report.

We would like to particularly welcome the focus of the report of the special rapporteur on mental health. The Government of Iceland has placed particular emphasis on strengthening mental health services with the guiding light of ensuring equal access for all to mental health services, irrespective of income or residence.

We also want to welcome the innovative method of submitting a summary of the report of the special rapporteur to the Council as it will hopefully contribute to focus our discussion. We would encourage other mandate holders to follow this best practice.

Mr/Madam President,

Answering the call of the rapporteur to highlight a challenge and a good practice, in Iceland we were experiencing a negative trend when it came to the mental health of young people. 

In 2016, a four-year mental health policy was adopted in Iceland focusing on preventive measures and early intervention. Work is underway on implementing this policy and a project manager for suicide prevention has been appointed in accordance with an action plan to reduce suicide in Iceland.

The government also participated in a two-year pilot project on the establishment and operation of multidisciplinary reception and support remedies for young people aged 12-25 years.

The goal is to improve services for children and young people and ensure that they receive assistance as soon as possible. This pilot project is undertaken on the initiative of and, in collaboration with, Bergið Headspace, and is modelled on similar remedies in Australia and Denmark. The project will also work in close cooperation with schools, primary healthcare and other parties in children’s immediate environment.

Special rapporteur, what are in your view the main challenges in delivering effective mental health services to young people?

I thank you.