On November 5, the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the Provision of Psychological Counsel to the Public Bill into Law.
According to the Law, the main goals of psychological counsel are:
- supporting the mental health of the public;
- assisting a person in solving psychological problems that have arisen in his/her life, and preventing crisis situations;
- providing counsel in social adaptation and rehabilitation of persons with psychological problems;
- counsel in strengthening individual skills related to personal development, self-expression, and improving lifestyle.
Psychological counsel can be provided free of charge or for a fee by psychologists working in government agencies or organizations, or by private legal entities or individuals.
Psychological counsel on a fee basis must be provided on the basis of a agreement in writing, except in cases where psychological counsel is provided anonymously.
The agreement must indicate the names of the parties (personal data of an individual), addresses, their rights and obligations, liability, payment procedure, type and form of psychological counsel.
Psychological counsel shall be provided with the consent of the person seeking this counsel. It is provided to minors with the consent of the legal representative. Provision of psychological counsel to a person under 14 years of age without the consent of his legal representatives is permitted in cases of harassment and violence against him, as well as in emergency situations or accidents.
The document notes that the state must facilitate the development of a system for providing skilled psychological counsel to the public.
