Latest reports find that the scale of the problems faced by public psychiatric care is overwhelming. Our charity, which has already donated equipment for over PLN 3 500 000 to 37 wards across the country, but we are alarmed by the appalling conditions at mental health facilities, shortage of modern furniture, lack of staff and the struggle of children, young people, and their parents who try and fail to get the mental support they need. We decided to reach out to the Senate in an attempt to find a comprehensive solution and ensure that children and young people can rely on health professionals when struggling with their mental health. The debate, which had been postponed by national lock-down caused by coronavirus pandemic is to take place on October 21st.
The issues plighting children's and young people's psychiatry did not go away once the pandemic struck. On the contrary, the conditions at children's and young people's psychiatric wards have been deteriorating rapidly. That is the reason why we must not postpone this debate any longer. We aim to reach out to specialists and experts to try to find a solution and see what they need to help young people who struggle with their mental health. We need to find out how to ensure that they receive quick and reliable help. We need to find out what the Senate can do to help, from the perspective of the lawmaking process.
Professor Tomasz Grodzki, Senate Marshall
The conditions at Polish psychiatric wards, in hospitals treating children and young adults, are appalling. We decided to act and we donated first devices and well as pieces of furniture. We feel that our initial purchases will serve as a great starting point for the discussion, which was supposed to take place in March. Hopefully, we will be able to come up with solutions to improve this tragic situation.
Jurek Owsiak, Chairman of the Board of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity.