The Romanian Ministry of Labor has announced a new initiative to provide psychological counseling for parents who experience the loss of a child under the age of 18. Each year, approximately 1,900 children or young individuals pass away, prompting the need for specialized support for grieving parents.
Under the new guidelines, parents whose children have died during pregnancy, at birth, or before reaching 18 years old will be eligible for ten free counseling sessions within six months of their child's death. This initiative is backed by a budget of 6 million lei, which aims to cover the costs of psychological support regardless of the parents' insurance status.
Minister Simona Bucura-Oprescu emphasized the importance of this support, stating, 'Anyone going through such trauma needs specialized help, and it’s crucial to know that they are not alone.' The counseling sessions will be conducted by accredited psychologists recognized by the Romanian College of Psychologists.
Parents can enroll in the program through a recommendation from their family doctor, and both individual and joint sessions will be available. An evaluation report will be prepared by the psychologist during the first session.
With an estimated cost of 150 lei per session, the budget will allow for approximately 3,800 parents to receive counseling. Until the official implementation of this measure, parents can seek support from the Hera Foundation, which offers psychological assistance to families dealing with the loss of a child.
The Hera Foundation states, 'We are here to support you in this dramatic life situation and help families who are going through the trauma of losing a child, whether before or after birth.'