Strengthening cooperation with the Regional Health Authorities for the implementation of the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Initiative
Press Release
On Thursday, July 3, 2025, a working meeting was held at the Ministry of Health to discuss the progress and next steps of the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Initiative (CAMHI), following an invitation from the Deputy Minister of Health, Dimitris Vartzopoulos. The meeting was attended by the heads of CAMHI's Hub Centers across Greece, as well as representatives of the National Network of Mental Health Services (E.DY.PSY.).
CAMHI is an innovative program designed to strengthen infrastructure and expertise in delivering evidence-based mental health care for children and adolescents in Greece. Its central goal is to ensure that every child and adolescent, along with their families, has access to high-quality mental health care, while equipping professionals working with them with the necessary tools and skills for effective support.
CAMHI was institutionalized by Law 5015/2023, which establishes its core programmatic features, its framework for collaboration with the Hellenic State, and its sustainability following the completion of the initial five-year implementation phase. This phase is supported exclusively by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) as part of the Global Health Initiative (GHI).
During the meeting, the ongoing activities across Greece were presented, along with planned actions for the further expansion of the program. Special emphasis was placed on the Advanced Training Program, aimed at public-sector child and adolescent mental health professionals, implemented through collaboration between the Child Mind Institute (New York) and CAMHI's scientific team in Greece.
The Program includes a combination of sessions with children, adolescents, and parents, strengthening the therapeutic process and family engagement, through three Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy-based protocols:
- Treatment Protocol for Childhood Anxiety (ages 6–12)
- Treatment Protocol for Adolescent Depression (ages 12–17)
- Parent Training Protocol in Behavioral Techniques for Conduct Disorders (ages 4–14)
At the close of the meeting, CAMHI Director and Child Psychiatrist Dr. Anastasia Koumoula stated:
“Today’s working meeting with representatives of the National Network of Mental Health Services (E.DY.PSY.) was an excellent opportunity to present the progress of the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Initiative and to jointly discuss the next steps for its further enhancement. Collaboration with Regional Mental Health Networks is of critical importance, as it ensures effective implementation of the program throughout Greece and the optimal support of children, adolescents, and their families. We remain committed to continuing our work based on scientific evidence and innovation, in order to deliver high-quality mental health services within the public system.”
Deputy Minister of Health Dimitris Vartzopoulos added:
“The Child & Adolescent Mental Health Initiative is a significant step toward safeguarding the mental health of our children and providing tangible support to their families. Today’s meeting with representatives of the National Network of Mental Health Services (E.DY.PSY.) offered an important opportunity to present CAMHI’s progress and to define together the next steps toward its further development. As a State, we stand firmly behind this effort, ensuring access to modern mental health services and empowering the professionals who provide them. I would like to warmly thank all contributors to CAMHI and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation for supporting a project that places children and adolescents at its core.”