Programmes

Mira Programme (Program Mira)

The Mira Programme, the National Mental Health Programme, comprehensively addresses and regulates the field of mental health in the Republic of Slovenia. It integrates existing and adds new services and structures to respond to people’s mental health needs. The main focus of the policy is on mental health promotion and the prevention and integrated treatment of mental disorders. To this end, it brings together the various services of the responsible sectors in the fields of health, social care and education. The aim of the MIRA programme is to create a good supportive environment in all areas of mental health care. It seeks to bring mental health services closer to users and encourage them to seek help early, thus also reducing the institutionalisation in the field of mental health.

The Svit Programme (Program Svit)

The Svit programme is a national screening and early detection programme for colorectal cancer, which has been running nationally since 2009 under the National Institute of Public Health. On average, more than 1,300 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year. With Svit Programme, we are reducing the number of new cases because by detecting and removing pre-cancerous lesions, we can prevent colorectal cancer from developing. Not taking part in the Svit Programme can have serious health consequences.

People living in Slovenia are personally invited to submit a stool sample for screening. If the person tests positive, we organise further screening. The services are covered by compulsory health insurance.

Programme of Measures for Improving Environmental Quality in the Upper Meža Valley (Program ukrepov za izboljšanje kakovosti okolja v Zgornji Mežiški dolini)

The Programme of Measures for Improving Environmental Quality in the Upper Meža Valley has been running in the municipalities of Črna na Koroškem and Mežica since 2007. The purpose of the programme is to inform about the dangers of lead, to prevent exposure to lead, and to address other lead-related issues in the Upper Meža Valley in accordance with the Ordinance on the areas of the highest environmental burden and on the programme of measures for improving the quality of the environment in Upper Meža Valley (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 119/07).

Safe with the Sun (Program Varno s soncem)

For many years, the Safe with the Sun prevention programme has been highlighting the importance of proper protection against the harmful effects of sunlight. During periods when we encourage staying outdoors in nature, implementing measures to protect against excessive exposure to solar UV radiation is especially important.

The programme is aimed at preschool children and schoolchildren, as well as their caregivers, teachers, and of course, parents.

Outside for Health 3 Programme (Program Ven za zdravje 3)

The Outside for Health programme is an innovative and comprehensive project designed to promote the planning of green spaces as an important spatial determinant of physical activity for health. The main objectives of the programme are to raise awareness, inform, and educate both municipalities and regions about the importance, possibilities, and methods of ensuring adequate provision of green spaces for regular physical activity of residents as a way of life.

The programme is aimed at several different target groups, including spatial planners and decision-makers in municipalities and regions across Slovenia, as well as other municipal services and organizations within local communities working in the fields of public health, healthy environments, and physical activity.

“Let’s Talk” addiction prevention and treatment programme (Program za preprečevanje in obravnavo zasvojenosti “Pogovorimo se”)

“Let’s Talk” addiction prevention and treatment programme has been operating since 1996 and is a verified public social protection programme by the National Institute of Public Health, Regional Unit Maribor. Programme provides social rehabilitation for users of psychoactive substances and addicts. Social rehabilitation is carried out individually and in groups at pre-arranged times with professional support.

NOW Programme (Program ZDAJ)

The Preventive Health Care Programme for Children and Adolescents, NOW Programme – Health Today for Tomorrow, focuses on health issues such as growth and development, and lifestyle that affect their physical, mental, and social health, with the aim of improving the physical, mental, and social health of children and adolescents, enhancing access to health care by ensuring equality and quality of care, and monitoring health indicators.

It is aimed at newborns, infants, preschool children, schoolchildren, high school students, and university students. Participation in the prevention programme is free of charge for children and adolescents in the target population, as the costs of the programme are covered by the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia.

Together for Health (Skupaj za zdravje)

The Together for Health programme provides professional support to all adult residents of Slovenia in caring for a healthier and higher quality life. This universally accessible integrated chronic disease prevention programme is delivered in family medicine clinics and health promotion/health education centres in all health centres across Slovenia.

For all individuals with basic health insurance, the programme is free of charge. It consists of: a preventive check-up at a family medicine clinic, group workshops, and individual consultations to assist and support lifestyle changes and mental health promotion, conducted by health promotion/health education centres, and a wide range of health promotion activities in local communities.

Slovenian Healthy Schools Network (Slovenska mreža zdravih šol)

For 30 years, the Slovenian Healthy Schools Network has been bringing together schools, that have chosen to promote, enable, and strengthen the health of everyone in the school environment (students, teachers, and parents) through various activities in all areas – physical, mental, social, and environmental health. Protecting and promoting health and preventing the onset of problems is important at all ages, but especially during childhood and adolescence. Experiences during childhood and adolescence have a significant impact on various aspects of health later in life.

This is Me (To sem jaz)

The mental health program for youth ‘This is Me’ has been running since 2001 and is focused on strengthening the mental health and psychological resilience of young people – to develop skills and competencies that support adolescents as they grow up and act as a safeguard in crisis situations. It is based on the working approaches of online counselling and prevention work in schools. This evidence-based programme has been recognized several times by the international professional community as a good practice example in the field of organized mental health care for children and adolescents. It is also described in a WHO publication.

Oral Health Education for Children and Adolescents (Vzgoja za ustno zdravje otrok in mladostnikov)

The Oral Health Education for Children and Adolescents programme raises awareness of the importance of oral health for children and adolescents so that they can develop positive attitudes towards oral health and gain an understanding of the importance of taking care of their own oral health, which is a key factor in maintaining and improving oral health.

The programme is aimed at preschool and school children, students, parents, carers, and education professionals. It is implemented in the form of group and individual sessions, which enable person-centred oral health education, taking into account the developmental characteristics of a particular age group.

Health Education for Children and Adolescents (Vzgoja za zdravje za otroke in mladostnike)

Health education is an important and indispensable part of health promotion. It is a planned process aimed at achieving knowledge related to health or illness, taking into account the laws and dynamics of the learning process. Health education is not just about providing information, but an active learning process that considers experiences and socio-economic factors. The purpose of health education is to inform and motivate individuals or groups to take care of their health. Through various programmes, we enable the acquisition of knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours for a healthy lifestyle.

The Health Education Programme is aimed at all children and adolescents from birth to school leaving age, families, parents, students, other adolescents (young people not attending school), educators, and others. It is linked to programmes aimed at pregnant women, future parents, and parents with infants.

The activities take place in the health centre, the educational establishments, and the local community. The programme is delivered by healthcare professionals, mostly registered nurses, but also doctors, psychologists, physiotherapists, kinesiologists, certified midwives, and others.

Healthy Cities (Zdrava mesta)

The Healthy Cities programme is a long-term international initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) that promotes innovation and changes in local health policy and advocates for new approaches to social health. It is based on the principle that health-conscious residents and the wider social community take greater responsibility for improving their own health and overall quality of life.

The program, which has evolved into a movement over the years, aims for each city or municipality to pursue a healthy public policy. This is expressed in greater concern for health, in improving the health status of the population, in protecting the urban environment, and above all, in taking into account citizens’ proposals for a better life in the city. It explores effective paths to translate the principles and objectives of the European Health for All Strategy, the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy, the Copenhagen Consensus, and the Belfast Charter into practice in local environments.

Health in Kindergarten (Zdravje v vrtcu)

The Health in Kindergarten programme promotes health and is focused on implementing activities that maintain and strengthen health in the kindergarten environment and beyond. The programme provides training for preschool teachers and other professional staff to deliver health-related content in a professionally supported manner. Emphasis is placed on well-being, creativity, exchanging good practices, and cooperation with NIJZ experts.