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Description
During the year 2017-2019 the morbidity of anxiety disorders in Šiauliai district increased by more than 60% and the morbidity of depression almost doubled. The district is also among the municipalities with the lowest occupation of psychologists in Lithuania therefore it is very important to find and addapt most effective preventive measures, which would help residents of Šiauliai district to notice and solve problems immediately when they occur.
The aim of the project is to improve and strengthen public mental health services in Šiauliai district municipality.
In order to achieve this goal and contribute to the improvement of the mental health of district residents, it is planned to establish the position of well-being advisors. This advisor will provide low intensity emotional counseling services to individuals experiencing mild emotional difficulties. In cases when the condition of the applicant is more complicated, the welfare counselor will refer the client to competent specialists.
The target group of the project – residents of Šiauliai district, who have mild signs of stress, anxiety, insomnia, depression and psychological adaptation problems.
The project will be implemented in cooperation with the Public Health Bureau of Šiauliai District Municipality, the Bureau will ensure the provision of well-being advisor services. Other institutions and organizations operating in Šiauliai District will be involved in the project activities as well.
The implementation of the project in Šiauliai district will contribute to reducing the morbidity of anxiety and depression, improving the general mental health of district residents, and herewith increasing the motivation of residents to work and participate in social and voluntary activities.
Summary of project results
In Šiauliai district during 2017-2019 period, the incidence of anxiety disorders increased by more than 60 percent, and the incidence of depression almost doubled. The district is also one of the municipalities with the fewest psychologist positions, so it is particularly important to implement the most effective preventive measures that help residents notice and solve problems as soon as they arise. The project aimed to improve and strengthen community mental health services in Šiauliai district municipality.
To implement the goal of the project and contribute to the improvement of the mental health of the residents of Šiauliai district, it was planned to establish the position of Welfare Consultants. The consultants provided low-intensity emotional consultations services to individuals who experience mild emotional difficulties. Seeing that the applicant''s condition is more complex, the Welfare Consultant referred the client to competent specialists in cooperation with treatment facilities. The target group of the project was residents of the Šiauliai region, who have mild symptoms of stress, anxiety, insomnia, depression and psychological adaptation problems.
678 people received consultations; 2892 consultations were provided during the project. During the implementation of the project, the welfare consultant services were provided for 22 months and will continue for at least 5 years.