THE POWER OF THE WORD (The President’s podcast) – #8: Matej Vinko
In the 8th episode of "The Power of the Word", President Nataša Pirc Musar hosts Dr Matej Vinko, public health specialist and Head of the Mental Health Centre of the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ).
Ljubljana, 15 May 2025
Our inner feelings and mental health remain an under-discussed topic. It should be talked about more openly – experts have long been seeing a rise in mental distress and disorders, including among young people. In recent years, the awareness and identification of these issues have increased, and the stigma around it has become slightly less pronounced. However, many people still face issues alone, without support – even though they would feel better if they talked about them.
In terms of suicide, which is often the result of unidentified or overlooked distress, Slovenia unfortunately has one of the highest rates among Western countries. After their loss, family members often face painful questions: did they miss something, could they have prevented it? The feelings of guilt, helplessness and sadness run deep. How should we deal with them? And how can we help – ourselves and our loved ones?
President Pirc Musar spoke about the mental health situation in our society with Dr Matej Vinko, public health specialist and Head of the Mental Health Centre of the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ), which he has been heading since its foundation. They met right before the Mental Health Festival, which takes place in Koper this year.
