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Care centers for mental patients to open in Armenia
19:48 - 09.06.13
The Armenian government has approved an NGO proposal for opening
special care institutions for mental patients.
In response to a bid submitted by the Helsinki Association's Vanadzor
Office, the executive has already ok'ed a relevant concept which
envisages the opening of a round-the-clock care house and a day center
for individuals with mental problems. It is planned to purchase at
least 10 apartments and one private house to offer a shelter to the
beneficiaries, according to a statement on the Association's website.
Preliminary estimates suggest that that the institutions will house
around300 beneficiaries.
Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Artem Asatryan has told the
representatives of the organization that people with mental
impairments account for 10.9% of the registered individuals with
disabilities in Armenia.
As for psychiatric patients in general, their total number is 45,000.
One specialized boarding house and three specialized orphanages
operate in Armenia to offer aid to the above-mentioned group of
people. The Vardenis Psychoneurologic Boarding House (Gegharkunik
region) is the only institution across the country to offer
round-the-clock care to lonely elderly patients with chronic
disorders. Some 450 beneficiaries receive in-patient care at the
hospital now; fifty more are said to be on the enrollment list, but
most stay in families because of the absence of a corresponding
institution.
Referring to figures provided by Ministry specialists, Asatryan said
that the number of mental patients needing permanent care increases by
every year.
Specialists find that the elderly are more prone to psychiatric
diseases, with their social status, general health condition, feeling
of loneliness and psychological complexes being contributory factors.
The risk group includes the disadvantaged, particularly the homeless,
who spend the nights in streets, deprived of foods and minimal living
standards.
Armenian News - Tert.am
19:48 - 09.06.13
The Armenian government has approved an NGO proposal for opening
special care institutions for mental patients.
In response to a bid submitted by the Helsinki Association's Vanadzor
Office, the executive has already ok'ed a relevant concept which
envisages the opening of a round-the-clock care house and a day center
for individuals with mental problems. It is planned to purchase at
least 10 apartments and one private house to offer a shelter to the
beneficiaries, according to a statement on the Association's website.
Preliminary estimates suggest that that the institutions will house
around300 beneficiaries.
Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Artem Asatryan has told the
representatives of the organization that people with mental
impairments account for 10.9% of the registered individuals with
disabilities in Armenia.
As for psychiatric patients in general, their total number is 45,000.
One specialized boarding house and three specialized orphanages
operate in Armenia to offer aid to the above-mentioned group of
people. The Vardenis Psychoneurologic Boarding House (Gegharkunik
region) is the only institution across the country to offer
round-the-clock care to lonely elderly patients with chronic
disorders. Some 450 beneficiaries receive in-patient care at the
hospital now; fifty more are said to be on the enrollment list, but
most stay in families because of the absence of a corresponding
institution.
Referring to figures provided by Ministry specialists, Asatryan said
that the number of mental patients needing permanent care increases by
every year.
Specialists find that the elderly are more prone to psychiatric
diseases, with their social status, general health condition, feeling
of loneliness and psychological complexes being contributory factors.
The risk group includes the disadvantaged, particularly the homeless,
who spend the nights in streets, deprived of foods and minimal living
standards.
Armenian News - Tert.am