On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, Human Rights Action (HRA) warns that in Montenegro, mental health is still not adequately secured as a human right, despite being one of the greatest public health and social challenges.

The World Health Organization, in its report “World Mental Health Report: Transforming Mental Health for All” (2022), explained that the right to mental health means that every person should have the opportunity to enjoy life with emotional well-being, access to support, and conditions that ensure dignity, safety, and social inclusion.

Montenegro remains among the countries with the highest suicide rates in Europe – during 2024, 83 suicides were registered, and in 2025 so far, 52. At the same time, the support system remains underdeveloped: there is no national registry of mental disorders, community support services are limited, and the number of professionals in this field is insufficient. For example, in the Mental Health Unit in Cetinje, up to 20 people seek help daily, highlighting the great need for support.

The review of the Mental Health Protection Strategy in Montenegro 2019–2023 showed that 76% of planned activities were never implemented, and the measures that were implemented produced no visible results. Throughout 2024, the country was without a valid strategic document, while the new Program for the Improvement of Mental Health for the period 2025–2026 was adopted only in May 2025.

HRA calls on the relevant institutions to urgently ensure accessible, free, and permanent support services in all municipalities, to employ and retain professionals, to implement existing programs, and to actively involve the community in combating stigma. Neglecting the issue of mental health has serious consequences for society, including increased suicides, violence, and family problems that especially affect children.

World Mental Health Day is marked every year on October 10. It was established in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The goal of this day is to raise public awareness about the importance of mental health, reduce stigma toward individuals facing mental health difficulties, encourage governments and communities to improve access to support and treatment, and promote mental health as a fundamental human right, equally important as physical health.