BARRIERS IN ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES BY KEY POPULATIONS IN POLAND

Abstract The mental health of Poles has been deteriorating for many years, with a particularly critical situation concerning children and teenagers. Recent events, such as the COVID pandemic and war in Ukraine, have further exacerbated this issue. According to the Comprehensive survey of the mental health status of the population and its determinants (EZOP II), almost 25% of adults, have experienced at least one mental health disorder in their lifetime within the 2016-2020 period. One of the key groups that are facing mental health problems are people who use drugs, however, the existing mental health services are incapable of addressing their needs, particularly those with dual diagnosis. The presented study is part of a Eurasian Harm Reduction Association project run in 2022 aimed at assessing the Barriers in Access To Mental Health Care Services by Key Populations in four countries: Czech Republic, Estonia, Moldova and Poland. The poster presentation will focus on Poland and Polish opioid users. To assess the barriers desk research and semi-structured interviews with 12 Polish experts (professionals working in drug treatment facilities and people who use drugs) were conducted. Some of the key findings include lack of a holistic, client-centered approach to drug dependence and mental health treatment, lack of mental health professional personnel, low accessibility of mental health services, dominance of medical treatment methods in comparison to psychotherapy options, insufficient funding for mental health care services, language barriers, stigmatization, self-stigma and discrimination based on drug and psychiatry registry. The study provides several crucial recommendations, including improving the primary health care system to ensure optimal access to mental health care, integrating harm reduction and mental health services, moving the professional community to client-centered evidence-based approaches, preparing information campaigns aimed at raising awareness of the availability of mental health services for people who use drugs, and combating stigma.