Today, 8 April 2024, Dr. Jože Ruparčič, Deputy Ombudsman, responsible for children's rights at the Ombudsman, attended the 34th Children's Parliament in the National Assembly, where young people discussed the mental health of children and adolescents. "We are glad that children and young people discussed this current topic again, because it has a significant impact on the quality of life of the individual as well as on society as a whole. At the Ombudsman, we pay a lot of attention to the mental health of children and adolescents, and we often discuss this topic with representatives of non-governmental organisations in the field of children's rights. There is no good health of children without their good mental health. We pay particular attention to ensuring adequate and, above all, rapid medical treatment," said the Deputy Ombudsman.

For many years, the institution of the Ombudsman has pointed out the great difficulty in providing good and timely medical care in the field of children's mental health. Slovenia is facing a drastic shortage of properly educated specialists, such as psychiatrists, child psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, psychologists, psychotherapists, and others. "Around half of mental disorders start in the teenage years, so organisations working with young people need to be sufficiently trained to recognise the signs and to respond to them. A major obstacle in the promotion and protection of mental health and in the treatment and successful rehabilitation of persons with mental disorders is unfortunately still stigma, so it is very important that you also speak publicly about this issue at the Children's Parliament. Illness does not choose and it can happen to any of us. Seeking help is by no means a sign of weakness, but a sign of courage," the Deputy Ombudsman told the young parliamentarians.

The Ombudsman also advocates that children and young people be included in decision-making processes on matters that concern them. We can help improve their situation by recognising the child as a bearer of rights, and not just as an object of protection, and by comprehensively treating rights in all life circumstances. The Ombudsman once again appeals to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities to thoroughly examine the findings and proposals of the National Children's Parliament in cooperation with other competent authorities, to respond to them in writing and to take them into account when making decisions which concern children. The Ombudsman supports efforts to establish an Ombudsman for Children's Rights within the institution of the Ombudsman. As the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child warned Slovenia during the last review of the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child that the state should handle children's complaints in a child-sensitive and speedy manner.