Joveva in Logatec: “We need proper facilities and adequate treatment for mental disorders.”

On Friday, 22 September 2023, MEP Irena Joveva responded to the invitation of the mayor of Logatec to visit the municipality. She travelled there by public transport, not only because the visit coincided with the European Mobility Week, but because she uses public transport whenever possible. She visited the premises of Brlog (the Den), which implements various activities for young people, and the new premises of the Logatec Adult Mental Health Centre. She stressed the need for proper facilities and appropriate treatment for mental disorders, to which no one is immune.

The mayor of Logatec, Berto Menard, explained to the MEP what challenges the municipality is facing. The MEP then used her visit to meet with actors on the ground, focusing on activities that address different age groups and vulnerable segments of society.

Meeting with representatives of Logatec municipality

Visit to the premises of the Logatec Mental Health Centre

At the Logatec Adult Mental Health Centre, she and the mayor were given a tour of the brand-new facilities. Dr Vesna Švab, head of the centre, explained that they try to adapt to the needs of patients and to involve them in planning their treatment and setting goals. She and Joveva agreed that no one is immune to mental disorders, which is why “we need places like this and this type of approach”, as the centre can respond to new patient requests within 48 hours and (for the time being) has no waiting list.

Joveva continued her visit at Brlog, where young volunteers carry out various activities for young people, providing possibilities of quality leisure time, sports activities, and even help with studies.

The MEP concluded her field visit with a conversation with the management and pupils of the Tabor Logatec Primary School. The pupils presented their project My, Your, Our Planet. “They came up with an idea and translated it into a concrete awareness-raising activity about care for the environment,” Joveva commended the project, after talking to the young people about the Slovenian language in the European Parliament, her work on behalf of young people and her plans for the future.

Spending time with young people at Brlog

In conversation at Tabor Logatec Primary School