Description
SOPSY Patras is an association with 12 years’ experience in mental health working on the area of Patra. Under the project “Day Care Mental Health Center for Adolescents Children and Adults – Ivi”, a new unit will be created with the aim to cover the lack of state provided social and psychological services to people with mental health issues in the region of Patra. The project is also focused on combating the inequalities that people with mental disabilities face as well as to prepare them for a reintroduction into society through guidance, counseling and proper education. Towards this the Day Care Center-Ivi will be a friendly place where people with mental disorders and their families can take part to group activities, social events and support groups.
Summary of project results
In Greece, the National Mental Health Care System is weak and without emphasis on social inclusion and cohesion in the community. Some regions have not even access on psychiatric care. Under the project “Day Care Mental Health Center for children and adults” a new unit was created in Patra (Achaia) addressing the citizens’ needs at a local level and eliminating the social stigma. The main services provided to people with mental health problems were social inclusion activities, psychological and social support and primary mental health care. There were also many activities and workshops organized for their families during the project's implementation period. By the end of the project, the targets were surpassed. In particular, the project's beneficiaries were 928, instead of 800 that were originally foreseen. 42% of them were people with mental health problems and 36% were their families. Also, it is worth to mention that 60% of people with mental health problems were unemployed. In addition, as part of the project, extensive networking activities were implemented in collaboration with other social agencies, state agencies and NGOs, contributing to establish complementarities in service delivery and overall in building a "protective network" for vulnerable groups in the region. The impact of this project will be of great significance to the local community of Patra. This is evident by the requests for support that the organization has been receiving after the end of the funding period. The Day Care Center will continue its operation through a funding it has secured for the coming year as well as through the establishment of a social enterprise.
Summary of bilateral results