Breathe Hellas Raising Awareness of Mental Health Care in Greece
(Athens, 14 September) -- Breathe Hellas, the non-profit initiative devoted to mental health in Greece, is helping to create a culture focused on wellbeing and prevention. The organization raised awareness of the challenges surrounding mental health in Greece during a charity benefit held on 11 September 2023.
Breathe was founded in 2020 by Tatiana Blatnik to help overcome the stigma of mental health by focusing on community and raising awareness. The initiative aims to promote understanding of mental health services by creating self-care tools that can be used at home, while also simplifying access to professional mental health care.
Tatiana began the initiative with the desire to ensure that everyone has access to the same set of tools for wellbeing. Breathe partnered with Milamou.gr, the first 24/7 online teletherapy platform in Greece, to simplify access to mental health care for thousands of people experiencing stress and depression. Milamou has facilitated more than 50,000 appointments and received more than a million site visits in the past 2 years.
The benefit event was addressed by Tatiana Blatnik as well as the United States Ambassador to Greece, George Tsunis. The event concluded with a performance by Guy Manoukian, the internationally acclaimed "Nomad of Music."
Tatiana said: “Nearly 80% of people do not seek treatment for their mental health needs due to stigma and shame. Our goal is to reach every individual, family and child in every corner of Greece. In the coming months, we will make it our mission to ensure that the best quality services are available to promote awareness, prevention, and intervention so that no one gets left behind.”
She added, “Not long ago, wellbeing was a term that only applied to the privileged. Mental health tools were not a part of our daily life. Today, we are calling for change: not only in treatment, but in prevention and access. We need to recognize mental and physical health as a human right. Our mission at Breathe is to destigmatize mental health, promote self-care, and create a culture focused on emotional wellbeing and prevention.”
About Breathe Hellas:
Breathe partners with dozens of organizations including the Greek Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization, and the University of Athens Mental Health Research Institute. Last year Breathe created a holistic media experience in the Greek language for the Greek cultural context in partnership with Peak State. Breathe supports the free teletherapy platform Milamou that provides 24/7 access to teletherapy services. Breathe is working alongside clinical experts and dozens of high impact musicians, athletes, and artists to create its second awareness campaign that will be broadcast nationally in Greece.
Online at www.breathehellas.com
About Tatiana Blatnik:
The founder of Breathe Hellas, Tatiana Blatnik is the wife of HRH Prince Nikolaos. A graduate of Georgetown University, she has worked in fashion for Diane von Furstenberg and currently serves on the advisory board of Ergo Capital where she helps to guide investments in technology, hospitality, and wellness. In 2016 she wrote A Taste of Greece with Diana Farr Louis to promote the values of Greek cuisine, and she has worked with Lemon Tree Trust launching agricultural businesses in refugee communities in Northern Iraq, Greece and Jordan.
