Mental health consequences of social decline due to unemployment, poverty and social exclusion should be adressed with locally and culturally responsive mental health services.

to influence development of mental health services in accordance with population needs.

to assess mental health needs of the local population.

Data on frequency of visits to psychiatric outpatient clinic, hospitalization and rehospitalization rates, benzodiazepine and antidepressant prescriptions as well as social status and social services´ use because od mental health disorders in the east north region of Slovenia are to be presented.

This is the region with one of the highest use of alcohol and BZD, with lowest income and high unemployment rate, rising in last years due to closing some large factories in the time of transition and economic crisis. The region also presents one of the highest sucide rates and high alcohol addiction problems.

Public mental health action regarding these problems is needed. Proposals for mental health needs assessment are to be suggested in this poster presentation.