A National Mental Health Center (NMHC) was opened in the building of the Psychiatric Hospital in Chisinau. The new institution will offer assistance necessary for people with mental health problems from Chisinau and regions and will coordinate the activity of the five mental health centers working in the country, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a communiqué from the Balti-based Association “Somato”, which implemented the project. Psychiatric Hospital director Mihai Hotineanu said the opening of the NMHC is very important given that the number of people with mental health problems in Moldova is increasing. “The Center will be a modern platform for treatment, prophylaxis and psychosocial rehabilitation of patients with mental and behavioral disorders,” he stated. The National Mental Health Center is made up of five departments. Its objectives include elaboration of policies and strategies for development of mental health services, scientific research in this field. NMHC was opened in the framework of the project “Development of the system of community-based mental health services in Moldova (stage II)”, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in partnership with the Ministry of Health.