The Mental Health Week will be held in Moldova between October 5 and 9. It aims to sensitize the people to such negative phenomena as stigmatization of the persons suffering from mental disorders, Info-Prim Neo reports. The public associations “Somato” and “Armonie” will organize different social and cultural activities involving beneficiaries of mental health services. The head of the Balti-based association “Somato” Jana Chihai told a news conference on Monday that the the alarming statistical data and the present situation as regards mental health were the major reasons for organizing the Mental Health Week. Anatol Nacu, senior specialist in psychiatry at the Ministry of Health, said that there are about 96,000 persons suffering from mental illnesses in Moldova. This figure for instance is larger than the number of people living in Ialoveni district, which has 34 settlements. According to him, the number of people suffering from non-psychotic diseases (47% of the persons with mental disorders) mental retard (31.5%) and schizophrenia and delirious disorders (12%) is also alarming. The rate of psychiatric disorders in Moldova is two times lower than in Europa. This makes the doctors think that the people do not seek professional assistance when they ought to. At the same time, compared with the situation 5-6 years ago, the number of persons who consult the doctor has risen, Anatol Nacu said. The Psychiatric Hospital in Chisinau and the one in Balti work according to an ambulatory regime. There are three community mental health centers: in Chisinau, Balti and Ungheni. Similar centers will be opened soon in Rezina, then in Cimislia and Cahul. Among the activities that will be organized by the two associations are an exhibition of paintings and drawings made by beneficiaries of mental health services and a music festival by professional artists and amateurs. The festival will take place at the Railway Workers Palace in Chisinau on October 7, starting at 12.00. The Mental Health Week is organized with financial support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. World Mental Health Day has been celebrated yearly on October 10 since 1992.