Greek psychologists and nurses protest exclusion from mental health bill hearing

Professional associations for psychologists and nurses in Greece have condemned their exclusion from parliamentary hearings regarding a new bill designed to establish a legal framework for the psychology profession. The Panhellenic Association of Hospital Psychologists and Psychologists of Public Health Structures (PANSYNOPSY) and the Panhellenic Trade Union Federation of Nursing Personnel (PASONOP) described the move as a “institutional assault” and a serious lack of representation.

PANSYNOPSY argued that the legislation directly impacts their professional rights, ethics, and future, yet they were not invited to present their positions despite requests from MPs. Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis stated that the bill does not concern clinical psychologists but rather those working outside of hospitals. In response, hospital-based psychologists asserted that they are not “second-class psychologists” simply because they work within the public health system.

During parliamentary committee discussions, MP Giorgos Lamproulis criticized the bill, suggesting that the government is using professional regulation as a pretext to promote the commodification of mental health services. He argued that the proposed legal entity for the Panhellenic Association of Psychologists fails to address the underlying issue of declining public mental health services and the increasing privatization of care.