The family as spiritual medicine
On the occasion of the World Mental Health Day, we held a workshop entitled "Family as spiritual medicine" at the Mária Kopp Institute, where we presented the latest research of the Institute and explored the role of mental health with our experts.
In his opening speech, Dr. Attila Beneda, pointed out the connections between physical and mental health, and the role of the family in health protection, emphasizing that "our family members and loved ones can act as a medicine for us." The Deputy State Secretary for Family Affairs of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation (KIM) stressed that we have to pay attention to young people, as the crises of recent years and the dangers of the virtual space are stress factors that previous generations have never faced, making it more difficult to prepare them for these challenges.
Tünde Fűrész presented the latest results of the KINCS Wellbeing Barometer. The president of the institute said that over the past four years, Hungarians have rated their own well-being on a ten-point scale at an average of 7.0. The data for the past year and a half show stagnation, which may indicate that Hungarians have learned to adapt to challenges and find a balance in the face of difficulties. Compared to 2023 data, satisfaction, sense of security and sense of own affairs show an improvement, while levels of happiness and sense of health show a slight decline. However, the latest results confirm that those with young children are the happiest (7.9), while marriage (7.9) and a stable relationship (7.8) also increase happiness levels.
Clinical psychologist Melinda Hal pointed out that the number of psychiatric diagnoses is increasing worldwide, and in Hungary it particularly affects children. According to the KINCS consultant, chemical and digital addictions are a problem at a societal level, and postnatal depression affects one in two new mothers. According to her, mental health will be the most important issue to tackle in the next ten years, affecting all aspects of life.
The roundtable discussion on strengthening the mental health of young and old people was attended by Dr. András Pári, Head of Research at KINCS, András Székely, Senior Research Fellow at KINCS, Judit Regős, President of the Parents’ House Foundation, Krisztina Michl-Palotai, President of the Association of Grandparents for the Future, and Marianna Várfalvi, President of the Hungarian Professional Association of Health Visitors. The discussion, moderated by Katalin Kardosné Gyurkó, Ministerial Adviser, explored the issues of intergenerational connection and cooperation, the role of online space, patterns that we bring from home and strengthening personal relationships.
