A delegation from Egypt's Ministry of Social Solidarity recently visited Brazil to explore its experience in supporting the mental health of children and adolescents. The visit was conducted in coordination with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and aimed to exchange expertise and learn about best practices in this field. The Egyptian delegation met with Brazilian government officials, including representatives from the Ministries of Development, Social Assistance, and Family, Foreign Affairs, Health, and Human Rights and Citizenship.
During the visit, the Egyptian delegation learned about Brazil's comprehensive network of services and interventions that link mental health to social, family, and environmental factors affecting children. The Brazilian approach focuses on identifying risk factors and challenges that may impact children's mental health and provides early detection and intervention. The delegation also visited specialized centers for mental and social care for children and adolescents (CAPSi), primary health care units, and social care service units to observe the delivery of services firsthand.
The Egyptian delegation discussed with their Brazilian counterparts the systems in place for preparing and building the capacity of professionals working in this field. They also explored the use of modern technology and digital platforms to expand services to children and adolescents, including counseling and early support services, as well as referrals to specialized services when needed. The visit included a dialogue session on digital challenges and ways to protect children from the risks of digital exploitation and addiction.
The Egyptian delegation presented their country's vision for developing a comprehensive national system to provide psychological and social support services to children and adolescents, in line with international standards. The vision aims to integrate care and social protection services with mental health services, taking into account the diverse needs of children, particularly those who require special care and support. The delegation also showcased Egypt's experience in preparing and qualifying national cadres specialized in this field.
The Egyptian delegation highlighted their country's efforts to empower civil society organizations to participate in providing psychological and social support services. They emphasized the importance of leveraging the widespread presence of these organizations to reach local communities and vulnerable groups, while ensuring that services are provided in accordance with necessary standards and controls to guarantee quality and sustainability.
The Brazilian side expressed their desire for further cooperation and exchange of expertise with Egypt in this field, aiming to enhance mental health and psychosocial support for children and adolescents in both countries. The Egyptian delegation was led by Dr. Amr Othman, Director of the Fund for Combating and Treating Addiction and Abuse, and included representatives from various ministries and organizations.
The visit concluded with a mutual understanding of the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing in addressing the mental health needs of children and adolescents. Both sides recognized the value of learning from each other's experiences and best practices in this field, with a view to developing effective strategies for supporting vulnerable populations.
Key points
- The Egyptian delegation learned about Brazil's comprehensive approach to supporting the mental health of children and adolescents.
- The visit aimed to exchange expertise and learn about best practices in supporting mental health.
- The Egyptian delegation presented their country's vision for developing a comprehensive national system to provide psychological and social support services.
