Abstract
Relatively little has been published on mental health care and counseling as they pertain to Armenia, a country of approximately three million residents that gained independence in 1991 from the former Soviet Union. Various influences, such as its history, economy, religious and family systems, and a major natural disaster in 1988, have affected the subsequent development of professional mental health systems. Though challenges exist, improvements have been evident in the past 15 years with the development of psychiatric facilities, laws protecting clients using mental health services, and professional associations to educate and advocate for mental healthcare issues. The development and possible role of counseling in this country are also discussed.
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Acknowledgment
This article was done with the support of the Open Society Foundations (OSF). Dr. McCarthy is an International Scholar with the Academic Fellowship Program of the Higher Education Support Program of OSF. The authors wish to acknowledge Armen Soghoyan, MD, PhD, for his helpful comments on an earlier draft.
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McCarthy, J., Harutyunyan, H., Smbatyan, M. et al. Armenia: Influences and Organization of Mental Health Services. Int J Adv Counselling 35, 100–109 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-012-9170-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-012-9170-8