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Legal and Finance Ministries Approve EUR1.8 Billion Mental-Health Budget

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  Published in Business and Finance on Thursday, November 13th 2025 at 0:09 GMT by KOTA TV

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Legal & Finance Ministries Approve New Mental‑Health Budget, Pledging Robust Support for Citizens

In a landmark move for public welfare, the Ministry of Legal Affairs and the Ministry of Finance jointly announced on 13 November that a comprehensive budget earmarking €1.8 billion for mental‑health services will be approved by Parliament next week. The decision follows a series of consultations with mental‑health professionals, patient advocacy groups and independent experts, and represents the first nationwide legal framework that mandates systematic mental‑health support across all regions.

A Budget Built on Evidence and Equity

At the heart of the proposal lies a tiered funding model that seeks to address both acute care and long‑term community support. According to the draft budget (link to the full document), the allocations will be distributed as follows:

The total €1.8 billion will be rolled out over the next four fiscal years, with an incremental increase of 7 % per annum to accommodate inflation and growing service demand.

Legal Framework and the Role of the Ministry of Justice

The legal side of the proposal is anchored in the Mental‑Health Act 2025, an amendment that broadens the definition of “mental disorder” and clarifies patients’ rights to treatment and privacy. The Ministry of Justice highlighted that the act will ensure:

• Mandatory reporting of self‑harm risks by healthcare professionals and social workers, with clear protocols for emergency intervention.
• Legal protection for patients in community treatment orders, safeguarding against involuntary detention without due process.
• Data‑sharing agreements between health and justice sectors to monitor treatment outcomes while preserving confidentiality.

“Law and finance must work hand in hand to dismantle the barriers that have long kept people in isolation,” said Minister of Justice, Elena Marquez, during the press conference. “With this act, we institutionalize the right to mental‑health care as a fundamental human right, backed by a robust budget.”

Finance Minister’s Commitment to Sustainability

Finance Minister Arman Petrov emphasized the budget’s sustainability. He explained that the funding will be sourced through a reallocation of the national health budget and modest tax incentives for private mental‑health providers who meet quality standards. “We’re not creating new debt; we’re investing in a healthier, more productive society,” Petrov said.

The Finance Ministry also unveiled a mental‑health performance‑based grant system that rewards hospitals and community centers for measurable improvements in patient recovery rates and reduced readmission.

Community Input and Stakeholder Support

The draft budget was shaped through a series of stakeholder forums that ran from June to September. In total, over 3,000 participants—patients, families, NGOs, and mental‑health professionals—submitted feedback via an online portal (link to feedback portal). Key themes that emerged included:

• Need for early‑intervention programs in schools and workplaces.
• Greater integration of cultural competence in therapy models.
• Transparency in funding allocation to avoid disparities between affluent and underserved regions.

The patient advocacy group Mindful Voices praised the proposal, noting that it “addresses long‑standing inequities in mental‑health access and sets a clear legal framework for accountability.”

What the Law Means for Everyday Life

The new budget and legal act have practical implications that many citizens can relate to:

1. Reduced waiting times for psychiatric evaluation—aimed to cut the average wait from 30 days to 10 days.
2. Access to tele‑therapy for remote communities, eliminating the need for travel to tertiary hospitals.
3. Mandatory mental‑health first‑aid training for police officers, ensuring that those who first encounter individuals in crisis are better equipped to respond.
4. Increased funding for schools to implement mental‑health education, aiming to reduce dropout rates associated with untreated conditions.

Challenges Ahead

While the plan has widespread support, some experts caution about potential implementation hurdles. Dr. Laila Karim, a clinical psychologist, noted that “a budget is only as good as the systems that deliver it. We need robust monitoring mechanisms to ensure funds reach the intended programs.”

Additionally, critics argue that the plan may overlook the intersection of mental health with substance abuse and homelessness—areas that require coordinated cross‑sectoral approaches.

Looking Forward

The next step will be the Parliamentary vote on the budget, scheduled for 28 November. If approved, the ministries will immediately begin the rollout, with an inaugural funding ceremony expected in early 2026. A follow‑up review will be conducted after the first fiscal year to assess outcomes and recalibrate allocations.

The joint commitment of the Ministries of Legal Affairs and Finance signals a new era of mental‑health care, one where the law protects patients’ rights and the budget provides the means to fulfill those rights. As Minister Marquez aptly put it, “Health is not a privilege; it’s a right, and we are finally aligning our finances and laws to honor that truth.”