Skyros: CAMHI Travels to the Remote Sporades Island for On-the-Ground Engagement
As part of its ongoing collaboration with the Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) of "Regeneration & Progress," the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Initiative (CAMHI) traveled to Skyros from April 2 to 6, 2026. The visit centered on the island's schools and the Skyros Health Center, with close coordination between educators and healthcare professionals throughout.
Skyros, the largest island in the Northern Sporades, is known for its rich cultural heritage, lively local community, and educational infrastructure spanning all levels. Yet, like many remote islands, it faces persistent shortages in health and welfare services—shortages that disproportionately affect children and their families. In the lead-up to the visit, CAMHI member Lydia Dandali reached out by phone to school principals to arrange meetings, and similarly coordinated the session with medical staff at the Health Center.
On-the-Ground Meetings
During their time on the island, the team held two meetings with educators and one with the medical and nursing staff of the Skyros Health Center.
- Meetings with educators: Two consecutive sessions were organized to introduce the CAMHI Initiative and its training program, "Child and Adolescent Mental Health Literacy." The first brought together 14 teachers from the Middle School and High School of Skyros, while the second was attended by 8 educators from the 3rd Kindergarten and the Primary School.
- Meeting at the Health Center: The team presented CAMHI's program alongside the "Child and Adolescent Mental Health Screening" training program for health professionals to 3 doctors and 2 nurses.
Local Needs – Dialogue with Practitioners
Discussions with the island's doctors revealed a critical shortage of specialized staff across various fields. Given the island's population, healthcare demands are high. Yet, practitioners are often expected to fill multiple roles without the requisite expertise—a situation that frequently results in patients being referred off-island for care.
Community Response
The welcome from both educators and healthcare staff was exceptionally warm. The on-site visit offered valuable insight into the community's real needs, highlighting the challenges posed by geographic isolation and limited access to support services.
The joint presence of CAMHI and the Mobile Medical Units marks yet another step toward ensuring equal access to mental health prevention and care for children and adolescents—regardless of where they live.
- The Child & Adolescent Mental Health Initiative (CAMHI) program is developed and implemented by a nationwide network of public-sector mental health organizations and professionals, in partnership with the Child Mind Institute (New York) and with support of the Ministry of Health. CAMHI is supported exclusively by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) as part of the SNF's Global Health Initiative (GHI).
- The Mobile Medical Units (MMU) are an initiative undertaken by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) in collaboration with the Health Units S.A. (AEMY S.A.), within the framework of the National Primary Health Care Program, implemented by the NGO Regeneration & Progress under the scientific supervision of the 1st Orthopedic Clinic of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.