Amman: President of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD) Prince Mired bin Raad bin Zeid and Italy's Ambassador, Luciano Pezzotti, have signed a cooperation agreement to implement a strategic national project aimed at transforming Jordan's mental health sector.
According to Jordan News Agency, the agreement aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, launching a 24-month national initiative to promote an inclusive, rights-based approach to mental health for persons with psychosocial disabilities. During the signing ceremony, Prince Mired highlighted the significance of Jordan's partnership with Italy, emphasizing the agreement as a pivotal step toward developing Jordan's mental health system in accordance with human rights principles and a community-based, inclusive approach, consistent with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Prince Mired stated that the strategic cooperation with Italy, inspired by the pioneering experience of the city of Trieste, positions Jordan to become a regional leader in mental health policy and service development. The project aims to address longstanding gaps in access to services, autonomy, informed consent, stigma reduction, and service quality for persons with psychosocial disabilities, who often face compounded challenges and social exclusion.
The initiative plans to apply international best practices through a strategic partnership with the city of Trieste, Italy, recognized globally for its community-based mental health care model. Over the course of two years, the project will focus on reviewing and developing legislation, policies, and the national mental health strategy. It will also strengthen sector capacity through training programs for 130 primary healthcare workers and 30 mental health professionals, organize a high-level government study visit to Trieste, and develop informed consent tools, standard operating procedures, and ethical frameworks for outpatient services.
Targeted rehabilitation works will improve accessibility in several outpatient mental health clinics at Princess Basma Hospital. National anti-stigma campaigns, awareness activities, and community inclusion workshops will be implemented to enhance public understanding and reduce discrimination. Approximately 500 individuals are expected to benefit directly from the project, while more than 2,000 will benefit indirectly. In the long term, the initiative aims to improve outcomes for over 200,000 people with mental and psychosocial disabilities by establishing a more inclusive, decentralized, and rights-based national mental health system.
Ambassador Pezzotti expressed Italy's pride in collaborating with Jordan to develop a mental health system grounded in inclusion and human rights, in line with international standards. He stressed Italy's commitment to the values of human dignity, independence, and social inclusion for all. The partnership reflects a shared belief that mental health is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of sustainable development.
As the national body legally mandated to protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities in Jordan, the HCD will lead project coordination, policy guidance, and implementation monitoring, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Royal Medical Services, World Health Organization partners, civil society organizations, organizations of persons with disabilities, and technical partners from the city of Trieste. The collaboration, supported by the Italian Agency For Development Cooperation (AICS), underscores the shared commitment of Jordan and Italy to promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, advancing inclusive public services, and building sustainable, community-based national mental health systems.