Description
The project addresses the lack of sufficient and diverse community-based services for people with mental disorders. The project aims at preventing their institutionalization and social isolation by providing the assisted living service. First, 5 teams of a professional expert and an expert by experience will be trained to provide the service. The 5 teams made up of 5 professionals and 10 experts by experience will have individual and joint training. Second, the 5 teams will provide assisted living to 35 people with mental disorders at risk of being placed in institutions. The teams will be supervised individually and in groups. Third, a methodology for assisted living will be developed and disseminated. Finally, a network of key experts, structures and community leaders will be set up and its members will act as mediators referring potential users to the 5 field teams. The project will benefit the 35 people with mental disorders, the experts and the local community in general.
Summary of project results
The project addressed the lack of sufficient and diverse community-based services for people with mental disorders. It aimed at creating a new social service based on an assertive approach. This is a good service provided to the clients according to their place of residence and targeted at prevention of institutionalization and social exclusion. People with first-hand experience joined the project (representatives of the target group) and did field work together with mental health professionals. 36 people with mental health problems were covered; the people had serious dysfunction developed as a result of their condition. After the project end, the project activities are integrated in the current services offered by the project promoter in Sofia. The Manual for the use of the supported Living Service for people with mental health problems with good practices will enable other organizations to introduce the programme in their work. Apart from the 36 people with impaired mental health, their relatives, NGOs and 64 staff members from Social Assistance Directorates took part in the project.
Summary of bilateral results