A round table on “Mental health without barriers” was held in Veliko Tarnovo, which brought together representatives of institutions, experts, non-governmental organizations, international partners and volunteers. The event was part of the activities of the international project EQUICARES, in which the Bulgarian partner is the Amalipe Center.
A key focus of the meeting was access to mental health support, particularly for vulnerable communities and groups that often remain outside the reach of existing services. Participants discussed challenges related to trust in institutions, the lack of sufficient information about available services, the need for cultural sensitivity and the need for better communication between communities, professionals and public institutions.
The round table was attended by international experts and partners of the EQUICARES project, as well as representatives of key institutions at the local and national level. Among the participants were representatives of RUO – Veliko Tarnovo, RZI, directorates related to social activities and education, as well as a representative of the national ombudsman. Their presence enabled the conversation to cover the topic from various perspectives — health, education, social, institutional and community.
During the meeting, results, observations and experience of working on the project were presented. Specific barriers faced by people who need support but find it difficult to access it – due to lack of information, stigma, mistrust, language and cultural differences, social isolation or lack of sustainable services close to the community – were discussed.
A particularly important emphasis was placed on the need to consider mental health not only as a medical issue, but as a topic related to education, social support, human dignity, equal access and outreach. Participants emphasized the importance of mediators, schools, local institutions and non-governmental organizations as a bridge between people and the support system.
In view of the international nature of the meeting, a live translation was provided, which enabled an active exchange between the foreign partners and the Bulgarian participants. This enabled a more complete conversation, sharing of different practices and comparison between the experiences of organizations from different countries.
Association “Dreaming of Romance, Flowers and Cosmos” — BRCK supported the event through organizational and technical support. Volunteers associated with the activities of the BRCC and E-volution Media took part in the coverage of the round table, filming of the event and conversations with some of the participants. In this way, they contributed to the documentation of the meeting and to the wider sharing of the topics raised during the discussion.
For the volunteers, participation in such an event was an opportunity to observe a real process of dialogue between institutions, experts and civil organizations. Working in the field allowed them to develop practical skills in media coverage, interviewing and documenting public events, while touching on an important social issue.
The Mental Health Without Barriers round table showed that accessing mental health support requires collaboration between different sectors. Not only services are needed, but also trust, comprehensible language, sensitivity to communities and a willingness for institutions to work closer to people.
The event in Veliko Tarnovo was an important step in this direction — as a space for exchange, concrete conversation and the search for better solutions for people and communities who often remain the furthest from support systems.
