President Milanović Meets with Representatives of “Lifeline” Association

The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović met today with representatives and associates of the “Životna linija“ (Lifeline) Association, which, since 2013, has been active in raising awareness on the need for increased prevention of suicide and depression in the Republic of Croatia. The reason for the meeting was World Mental Health Day, observed on 10 October, which aims to focus attention on problems related to mental health and reduce stigma and provide support to people afflicted with such problems and their families.

As the biggest problem, the Association’s representatives pointed out the constant increase in the number of suicides in Croatia, which is why Croatia is at the top among European countries. The problem of suicide should not be swept under the rug as if the problem does not exist, claims the “Lifeline” Association and emphasizes that people with problems must know that there are associations and experts who can help them. The “Lifeline” Association is one of 19 associations members of the Croatian Alliance of Mental Health Associations that help people suffering from depression, and care for mental health in the community.

This is a voluntary and non-profit association that includes many experts who work and help people with this type of problems on a daily basis. They informed President Milanović of their activities aimed at enhancing the quality of life of depressed and suicidal people, stressing that it is very important to prevent the stigmatization of people with mental health problems. The meeting also discussed the observance of this year’s World Mental Health Day, where focus was on taking care of mental health in the workplace and the intention was to highlight the connection between mental health and the workplace.

Attending the meeting in the Office of the President of the Republic were the president of the “Lifeline” Association Tin Pongrac, Association vice president and member of the Management Board “SOBA 2“ and “TEATRUM“ Ines Kovačić, member of the Management Board of the “Lifeline Association“ Aleksandra Mindoljević Drakulić, Sanja Martić-Biočina from the “Mens Sana“ Association, director of the “ABR“ polyclinic Anka Bogunović Rastovčan, associate of the “Lifeline” Association Marta Brkić from “Dvokut – Ecro“, corporate social responsibility, Association member Marija-Amalija Gašpar, associate Ljupka Hitrova from the Teaching Institute for Emergency Medicine of the City of Zagreb, associate Jackson Matthew McConnell, Association member Andrea Ljljić, associate Marija Svilar from the “Marija Svilar” Office for Consulting and Education  and Association member Marijana Micheli.

Alongside President Milanović was the Adviser to the President for Education Jadranka Žarković.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Dario Andrišek