Mental health is an essential part of every person’s well-being and quality of life, but in Estonia we face a problem where many people do not have access to the help they need. Estonian Human Development Report 2023 points out that while mental health support should start with prevention and early intervention, many services are either inadequate or difficult to access.

Belong was created specifically to make it easier to discover mental health services and events, and to help people find the the right support in the right place at the right time.

“Within a year, one in five people around the world will experience mental health problems (Steel et al 2014), the same ratio for the Estonian population of around 260 000 people per year. More than 140 000 people will have a mental disorder as a main or co-morbid diagnosis in the 2016-2020 treatment bill. It can therefore be concluded that more than 100 000 people do not seek or do not receive help from the health system for their mental health problem.”

What are the main barriers to using mental health services?

1. Shortage of specialists and long queues

The shortage of clinical psychologists, school psychologists and mental health nurses is a major problem in Estonia. Many people who need the support of a psychologist or therapist have to wait months or go to private clinics, where the cost of the service can be a barrier.

💚 How can Belong help?
On the Belong platform, constellators (and, in the near future, therapists, psychologists, etc.) will be able to offer their services and make them more visible. Users can quickly find and book appointments with different professionals., often without long waiting times. In addition, Belong allows you to find group therapies, mental health workshops and webinars.offering alternative ways to support mental health.

2. Fragmentation of services and complex journeys

Often it is not clear where to look for help – do you start with your family doctor, look for a psychologist or find some alternative support? Different services and forms of support are fragmented and it can be difficult to find information about them.

💚 How can Belong help?
Belong brings together mental health services, events and professionals in one place. Through the platform, users can quickly filter whether they are looking for a therapist, a coach, a constellation or any other self-development opportunity. Our interactive events map makes it easy to find the nearest and most suitable support facility..

3. Underfunding of prevention and support services

Many people may not need immediate therapy or psychiatric help, but could use counselling, self-development opportunities or a supportive community. Unfortunately, such preventive and community-based services are often underfunded or hard to find.

💚 How can Belong help?
Belong is not only a platform for therapeutic services, but also supports. self-development and community support.. Through us, users can find:
✅ Workshops and coursesto help understand and prevent mental health problems (e.g. stress management, self-esteem, trauma therapy).
✅ Supporting events in group work and community formatwhere you can share experiences and get support.
✅ Online and offline eventsthat support mental wellbeing and self-development, such as mindfulness training, breathing exercises and deep psychology lectures.

4. Stigma and lack of awareness

Many people are afraid to seek help for fear of social stigma. Talking about mental health is becoming more open, but many still fear negative attitudes from employers, family members or acquaintances.

💚 How can Belong help?
Belong to help create a safe and supportive environment, where people can find the right therapy or event for them without fear of condemnation. Many of our events and services are discreet and private, allowing anonymous participation. In addition, we provide a space for awareness raising, sharing stories, articles and educational content on mental health issues.

What can everyone do for their mental health?

Taking care of mental health starts with small steps – it’s important to seek support and help at an early stage. Belong can help you find the right solution, in the right way for you.:

🔹 If you are looking for a therapist or psychologist, you can quickly find a specialist and book an appointment through our platform.
🔹 If you want participate in group therapy or a self-development workshop, you can find a wide range of events both online and in a physical environment.
🔹 If you just want to learn more about mental health, you can read articles and stories or take part in discussions.

Summary

Access to mental health services in Estonia needs to be improved, but at the same time there are many ways to find alternative supportive solutions. Belong brings together professionals and the community to provide people with better access to mental wellbeing support options..

💡 Don’t be alone with your worries – find the right support and opportunities for self-development From the Belong platform today! 💚

📗 See the full study here: the Estonian Human Development Report 2023