General practitioners in New Zealand have commenced prescribing stimulant medication for adult ADHD patients as of February 1, 2026. This significant policy change aims to improve access to diagnosis and treatment, reducing previous barriers like long waitlists and high specialist costs.
European School Luxembourg I has become one of the first schools to train all its staff in mental health first aid, proactively addressing growing youth mental health challenges. The initiative, proposed by the Parents' Association, equips staff to identify and support students experiencing psychological distress, covering conditions like depression and anxiety.
Luxembourg's Members of Parliament have unanimously approved a motion to establish a unified national suicide prevention hotline. The initiative, supported across party lines, aims to provide a single, easily accessible number for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, enhancing coordination among existing mental health services.
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Latvia violated the rights of a mentally ill woman, identified as M.A., by keeping her in prison for months despite a court order for her transfer to a psychiatric hospital. The ruling cited a breach of Article 5 § 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights, ordering Latvia to pay 9,000 euros in compensation.
A new initiative, 'Smartphone Free Childhood Gibraltar,' has been launched by local parents to support delaying smartphone access for children. The group aims to foster a community for parents concerned about the impact of early smartphone use and excessive screen time on children's well-being, aligning with a growing international movement.
Lithuania is set to offer vital rehabilitation and psychiatric services to Ukrainian children who were forcibly deported to Russia and have since returned to Ukraine. The initiative, expected to begin this autumn, will provide medical and psychological support to approximately 150 children annually, addressing the profound impacts of their experiences.
The Grand and General Council of San Marino debated and ultimately rejected Istanza n.27, a proposal to integrate psychological support services into basic medical clinics. The government, led by Secretary Mariella Mularoni, maintained that existing services provided by the Territorial and Social-Health Department are sufficient, citing a multidisciplinary network of 16 professionals established by Delegated Decree 171/2024.
