Further than vivid is the interest in Crete, for the innovative program “Supporting adolescence” implemented by the Region of Crete, in collaboration with the Department of Psychiatry and Sciences of the Medical School of the University of Crete. It is related to information actions implemented in all Regional Units and which to date have a particular appeal to health professionals, teachers and parents. As the Deputy Regional Governor of Crete, George Pitsoulis, told RES-EIA, the decision on such a program was “born” to statistics that reflect on the mental health of children and adolescents, and how the phenomenon in some of his manifestations is intense in his 40%,
“Based on data from the Regional Observatory for Social Inclusion, the Region of Crete shows a significant increase in child abuse exceeding 40%. Crete also has a sad first in suicides. They are two typical examples. These interventions by experts directly involved are particularly important at this stage and is also evident from the participation of attendees, “the Deputy Regional Governor stressed, however, explaining that the issue is not only a financial dimension.
The program includes information actions – interventions condensed into six themes. These are as follows:
-Ddish -adolescent abuse
-Listic adolescence approach
-Genicity in adolescence
-The emotional disorders in adolescence
-Ants to children and adolescents
-Graid disorders in adolescence -psycho -emotional impacts -school performance
The program has been underway since February 2025 and the information on the third theme is already being carried out, with the first two successful successful in participation.
“At this time, the actions are taking place on the section of” Sexuality in Adolescence “that so far seems to be of great interest,” Mr Pitsoulis said, adding that these actions that are being implemented throughout Crete will not stop at the end of these themes.
During the presentation of the program, the Professor of Psychiatry, Director of Psychiatry and Pediatric Psychiatric Clinic of PAGNI. Maria Basta had noted that in recent years there has been a rapid increase in mental health problems in adolescents worldwide and that understanding of factors that may endanger young people’s mental health, as well as the way they can be treated promptly and effectively, are issues.
“We believe that this action will contribute to better understanding and management of child / adolescents mental health issues and will therefore strengthen the society of Crete,” Ms Basta said while for his part, the psychiatrist and adolescent psychiatrist – psychotherapist George Samiotis the necessary.
“Pediatric psychiatry as a medical specialty aims not only for treatment during the disorder but also to investigate the release, primary prevention and treatment after diagnosis,” Mr Samiotakis said, adding that “information is also being informed by the general population. This is to disassemble mental health issues. “