Psychologists in Montenegro will work within professional and legal frameworks for the first time, said Minister of Social Care, Family Care and Demography Damir Gutić.
Yesterday, at the session of the Parliamentary Committee for Health, Labor and Social Welfare and the session of the Committee for Economy, Finance and Budget, he presented the Draft Law on Psychological Activities.
The law is part of the Government's Work Program for 2024, and its goal is to harmonize and regulate psychological practice in order to ensure quality protection of citizens' mental health, the Ministry announced.
"The law is a key step towards the professionalization of psychological activity in Montenegro. Unfortunately, the current practice without a legal framework has led to serious abuses, the consequences of which are felt by the whole society. This law provides a basis for high-quality user protection and professional responsibility of psychologists," said Gutić.
The draft law provides for the establishment of the Chamber of Psychologists of Montenegro, which will be in charge of licensing psychologists, quality control of professional work, and monitoring the application of the law. Also, the law will define the performance of psychological activities in accordance with the Code of Ethics and international standards, "thus ensuring a high level of services for all users", the statement added.
"For the first time, psychologists in Montenegro will work within professional and legal frameworks, which is extremely important for the mental health of our citizens. "Quality intervention in mental health reduces long-term economic and social consequences, including poverty and unemployment," emphasized Gutić.
According to the Ministry, by adopting the law, Montenegro joins European and regional practices, "thus contributing to better mental health protection, as well as increasing the quality of social services." "Also, the law foresees minimal costs for the economy, while the long-term health care costs related to inadequate treatments will be reduced."
The Chamber of Psychologists of Montenegro and the relevant ministries will be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the application of the law.
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