INTRODUCTION
Despite its small size and the population being only 2.1 million, Slovenia has made significant strides in the field of psychiatry, with a focus on holistic approaches to mental health care. The country prioritizes community-based initiatives, comprehensive mental health services, and ongoing research to address the evolving needs of its population. The country’s mental health system provides a range of services, including outpatient clinics, inpatient care, and community-based support networks. Additionally, Slovenia has been proactive in integrating psychiatric care into primary healthcare settings, aiming to increase accessibility and early intervention for mental health issues (14). Slovenian psychiatry emphasizes a collaborative approach between patients, families, and healthcare professionals, reflecting a commitment to promoting mental well-being and reducing stigma.
Stigma, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), encompasses feelings of shame, disapproval, and subsequent rejection, discrimination, and exclusion (4). It involves being labeled by certain traits, which can isolate individuals and lead to their perceived deviation from social norms (5). Those with mental disorders often bear the brunt of such stigmatization, facing discrimination across different aspects of life, making them among the most vulnerable members of society (6).
In Slovenia, despite progress in mental health care, stigma remains a significant barrier to seeking help and receiving adequate support for mental health issues.
In 2018 Ljubotina, Đorđević and Sivec reported that stigma regarding mental health remians pervasive across Slovenian society, leading to discrimination and social exclusion for individuals with mental illness (1). Efforts to combat stigma include public education campaigns, advocacy initiatives, and increased access to mental health services, yet challenges persist in changing societal attitudes and perceptions toward mental health (2).
Another study from 2018 examned attitudes toward mental illness of medical studentents, Maribor Uninversity, Slovenia. This is one of the only two Medical faculties in Slovenia (the other being in Ljubljana). The study reported that sixth-year medical students were the most stigma-free, since they already completed the psychiatry clerkship (it is completed in the fifth year) and are thus were more educated about mental disorders.