Description
Hospitalized children facing choleric disease usually suffer from psychological trauma which is not addressed sufficiently by Hungarian medical institutions. The project aims to advance the development of the culture of art- and story-telling therapy in Hungary; to further expand and elaborate the methods and the know-how used in therapy. The project will enhance the recovery of hospitalized children facing chronic disease by providing art and story-telling therapy using methods tailored to their specific needs. The project will adrdress the challenges by the provision of art and story-telling therapy sessions in hospitals on a regular basis; providing supervising sessions for therapists and workshops to ensure quality service provision. The target groups are 3-18 year old hospitalized children facing chronic disease (cancer, hematological malignancies and diabetes), and their family members.
Summary of project results
The Hungarian health care system lacks sufficient capacity to address the psychological aspects of the illnesses. To fill this gap Smile Foundation aimed to provide free-of-charge art and tale therapy services in two Hungarian hospitals for children facing chronic disease. Smile therapists closely cooperated with experts working in the hospitals to ensure that medical treatments and psychological support reinforce one another. During the 10 month project Smile professionals conducted 97 therapy sessions with the participation of 285 children and 62 family members in 2 hospitals. Some therapies were held in groups, others individual, depending on the actual condition of children. The project included a two-day workshop on tale therapy methods, which was also open to other organizations dealing with sick children. Due to its high quality therapy services and training opportunities the project contributed to the development of the culture of art and tale therapy in Hungary.
Summary of bilateral results