Description
The aim of the project is to contribute to the capacity building of a network of 5 NGOs that operate in the fields of provision of mental health services and social entrepreneurship. The project objectives are: (a) Capacity building (b) Establishment of a strong alliance among the partnership and of local networking and alliances between the project partners and other organizations / NGOs that provide services in the fields of mental health, occupational rehabilitation and social inclusion with the aim to establish Information Spots for Mental Health and Rehabilitation Services (SEPIPSI-E) across Greece. The project includes training of NGO personnel, mapping of organizations and NGOs per selected locality, establishment of SEPIPSI-Es, publishing of a Networking Guide for NGOs, project website, monitoring and evaluation.
Summary of project results
The project “Social Bonds: Empowerment and Networking of Mental Health Services Providers for the improvement of services in the community” was conducted in a period that the patients’ needs for mental health support services are increasing while the number of mental health structures is decreasing. A key component of the project was the training of the staff members of the 5 NGOs that implemented that would allow them to respond to the increased needs of their demanding working environment and thus provide more comprehensive services to people they need them. The participants evaluated the whole project as particularly useful for their work. A big part of the project was the mapping and networking of local mental health providers and the function of Citizens’ Information Centers for Mental Health Services and Reintegration in the community. Despite the difficulties raised due to the lack of mentality and experience in networking, 201 services were mapped and useful synergies were developed at local level. The recorded 509 individual requests and the 215 requests categorized in groups are indicative of the synergies’ added value despite any difficulties or deficiencies, The project’s official website (
www.mentalhelpnet.gr) included useful information for the services offered in areas of project partners’ responsibility. The project gained publicity through a number of promotion activities that diffused the message to a wide audience and thus made the services available to more beneficiaries. The produced "networking guide" was uploaded on the website. The guide had as a main target to cultivate the network mentality at local community level and thus cover more comprehensively the citizens' needs for services. Following the completion of the project, the biggest challenge remains its viability and sustainability. Our target is thus to preserve the network and synergies culture cultivated through the project as well as to enhance the benefits of the training seminars that offered project partners knowledge transmittable to other colleagues. With a view to further maintain the viability of the project, we plan to continue sharing the network guide among our networks, while we will keep the project’s official website fully functional so as to keep all necessary information available.
Summary of bilateral results