Exploring the Landscape of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Care in Albania: Current Situation and Mental Health Services

By Msc. Sara PJETRUSHAJ, Assoc. Prof. Erika MELONASHI

Abstract
This paper examines the current state of mental health care for children and adolescents in Albania, highlighting the significant challenges faced by the country’s mental health system. Despite modest progress, Albania continues to rank among the lowest in Europe in terms of mental health workforce availability, with a particularly severe shortage of specialists in child and adolescent care. The three-tiered mental health care system, while structured, remains ineffective due to a lack of specialized professionals, inadequate infrastructure, and significant geographic disparities in service access. Cultural stigma surrounding mental health, combined with limited public awareness and distrust in available services, exacerbates the situation, further deterring families from seeking necessary support. Additionally, high rates of child abuse, emotional neglect, and school violence contribute to the growing mental health crisis, leaving many young individuals vulnerable to psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, and aggression. This paper explores the systemic barriers, financial constraints, and cultural norms that hinder effective mental health care for children and adolescents in Albania, and it offers recommendations for improving access to care, increasing professional capacity, and reducing stigma. Ultimately, it calls for urgent reforms to create a more accessible, equitable, and effective mental health care system for Albania’s youth.

Key words: child, adolescent, treatment, mental health