As part of the 17th BHAAAS Days, a one-day interdisciplinary symposium dedicated to the mental health of children and adolescents was held.
CHAIRMEN OF THE SYMPOSIUM:
Emira Švraka (University of Sarajevo, Cerebral Palsy Association of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, BHAAAS)
Sabina Kučukalić (Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Department of Psychiatry)
Amer Smajkić (Affiliate Faculty, Center for Global Health, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, USA, BHAAAS)
The most important topics and messages from the program of the Symposium
The most important message of our Symposium is that stimulant drugs for ADHD, as a very significant and long-awaited breakthrough, are now available on the market in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their availability is made possible through the legally regulated procedure of intervention import. This represents an extremely important step in improving the health care of children and adolescents, because it is a therapeutic option that has been missing for more than 30 years. Dr. Sabina Kučukalić, who was a key person in the realization of this project, deserves special thanks and recognition for this success.
Key conclusions and recommendations
One of the most important conclusions is that the community of experts in the mental health of children and adolescents has been continuously growing over the last five years. The field, which for years was underdeveloped and with a very limited number of experts, is now recording significant progress. An increasing number of young professionals go through specialized education and fellowship programs, thus becoming available to children and adolescents who need professional help. I would especially like to highlight prof. Kravić, who invests extraordinary efforts in improving the mental health of children and adolescents in Tuzla and Dr. Nermin Ćurčić-Hadžagić, Dr. Vesna Horvat and Dr. Sabina Kučukalić from Sarajevo.
Featured participants, speakers or panels that you consider important to mention
It is very important to highlight the role of prof. Švrake, who has selflessly invested her time and energy in the organization of symposia dedicated to the mental health of children and adolescents for the fifth year in a row. It is particularly encouraging that every year a growing number of lecturers and participants are involved, which confirms the growing interest and importance of this field.
The importance of the conference for your field and for the BHAAAS community
The importance of the mental health of children and adolescents is difficult to overestimate. We are talking about generations that will be leaders, experts, entrepreneurs and active members of society in the future. That is why it is crucial to provide young people with the best possible support and quality health care.
The importance of interdisciplinarity in the development of teamwork in a holistic approach to the protection of the mental health of children and adolescents is of great importance, as is the contribution of a large number of experts from different professions who work with children and youth, especially those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The protection of the mental health of children and adolescents in Bosnia and Herzegovina has long been insufficiently developed, but today we can say with optimism that we are entering a period of stable growth and development that will continue in the years to come.
Proposals for continued cooperation and future activities
This year's Symposium "Mental Health of Children and Adolescents" brought together guests from neighboring countries and the diaspora, including participants from Montenegro, Denmark (Copenhagen), Austria, Germany and the United States of America (Chicago). It would be extremely valuable if we further expand regional cooperation in the future and include an even greater number of experts from the countries of the region, in order to jointly improve knowledge, exchange experiences and develop projects of importance for the mental health of children and adolescents.
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