Amman, February 3 (Petra) – President of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD) Prince Mired bin Raad bin Zeid and Italy's Ambassador, Luciano Pezzotti, Tuesday signed a cooperation agreement to implement a strategic national project aimed at achieving a transformation of Jordan's mental health sector.
The agreement, which aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, launches a 24-month national initiative designed to promote an inclusive, rights-based approach to mental health for persons with psychosocial disabilities.
During the signing ceremony, Prince Mired praised the Jordan's partnership with Italy, affirming that the agreement marks a pivotal step toward developing Jordan's mental health system in accordance with human rights principles and a community-based, inclusive approach, consistent with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
He added that the strategic cooperation with Italy and the benefit drawn from the pioneering experience of the city of Trieste, places Jordan on a clear path to becoming a regional leader in mental health policy and service development.
The project seeks to address longstanding gaps in access to services, autonomy, informed consent, stigma reduction and service quality for persons with psychosocial disabilities, who often face compounded challenges and social exclusion.
The initiative aims to apply international best practices through a strategic partnership with the city of Trieste, Italy, which is recognised globally as a leading model in community-based mental health care.
Over the course of two years, the project would focus on reviewing and developing legislation, policies and the national mental health strategy; strengthening sector capacity through comprehensive training programmes for 130 primary healthcare workers and 30 mental health professionals; organising a high-level government study visit to Trieste; and developing and implementing informed consent tools, standard operating procedures and ethical frameworks for outpatient services.
The project would improve accessibility through targeted rehabilitation works in several outpatient mental health clinics at Princess Basma Hospital, in addition to implementing national anti-stigma campaigns, awareness activities and community inclusion workshops aimed at enhancing public understanding and reducing discrimination.
Approximately 500 individuals are expected to benefit directly from the project, while more than 2,000 will benefit indirectly. In the long term, the initiative is expected to contribute to improved outcomes for more than 200,000 people with mental and psychosocial disabilities through establishing a more inclusive, decentralised and rights-based national mental health system.
For his part, Ambassador Pezzotti affirmed Italy's pride in cooperating with Jordan to develop a mental health system grounded in inclusion and human rights, in line with international standards.
He stressed Italy’s steadfast commitment to the values of human dignity, independence and social inclusion for all.
He noted that the partnership reflects a shared conviction that mental health is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of sustainable development.
As the national body legally mandated to protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities in Jordan, the HCD would lead project coordination, policy guidance and implementation monitoring, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Royal Medical Services, World Health Organisation partners, civil society organisations, organisations of persons with disabilities and technical partners from the city of Trieste.
The collaboration, supported by the Italian Agency For Development Cooperation (AICS) underscores the shared commitment of Jordan and Italy to promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, advancing inclusive public services and building sustainable, community-based national mental health systems.
//Petra// AK
