Ministry maps fragmented mental health support for children

Estonia’s Social Ministry is commissioning a study to identify gaps in mental health support for children and develop a clearer model for their movement between healthcare, education and social services, ERR reported.

Access to support currently varies by region, waiting lists are long and there is no comprehensive overview of how children move between different support systems. Assistance can also be interrupted during key transitions, such as moving from kindergarten to school, changing school levels or transferring from children’s to adult services.

Krista Järv, project manager in the ministry’s department for children and families, said the roles and responsibilities of specialists were not always clear and that the availability of services differed across Estonia.

Most mental health disorders begin at a young age, and timely, effective support for children and young people can prevent a need for greater assistance later. However, according to Estonia’s 2024 child mental health survey, the mental health indicators of schoolchildren have steadily worsened since 2010, with the problem more pronounced among girls.

The study will map the obstacles in the current support system and develop a model for the future care pathway of a child needing mental health assistance. It will also propose ways to clarify specialists’ roles, responsibilities and cooperation, as well as improve case management, information sharing and the handover of services.

The ministry will assess whether legal changes are needed and prepare an implementation plan with actions, responsible parties and a timetable. The study’s results will be used in policymaking, service development and the further improvement of the child mental health support system.

To ensure that recommendations can be implemented, the ministry wants the study to produce two options: a minimum level achievable with existing resources and an optimal level requiring additional funding. The amount and potential sources of financing will be determined after the study is completed.

The study will last 11 months and is expected to be completed in the middle of next year. Implementation of specific changes will depend on political decisions, agreements between different sectors and, if necessary, the availability of additional funding. The study is expected to cost up to 100,000 euros.