Implementation of a model for well-being advisors in City of Vilnius

Project facts

Project promoter:
Vilnius City Municipality Administration(LT)
Project Number:
LT-HEALTH-0057
Status:
Completed
Final project cost:
€126,782
Other Project Partners
Budgetary institution Vilnius City Social Support Center(LT)
Vilnius City Integrated Services Center "Šeimos slėnis"(LT)
Programme:

Description

The incidence of mental and behavioral disorders is increasing in Lithuania. For many years most people in the European Union have died due to suicides. 50 percent of suicides have been associated with depression at the time of suicide, and only 1 in 4 people with depression in Europe receive treatment, much less evidence-based treatment. Research shows that measures to reduce the number of suicides - reducing the number of health disorders (depression, anxiety, PTSD, behavioral disorders), poverty, social exclusion, unemployment - can reduce the scale of the current problem in the short term The goal of the project “Implementation of the Well-being attendance Model in Vilnius” is dedicated to encouraging people living in Vilnius to seek help in the face of emotional difficulties and to provide them with evidence-based, accessible and low-intensity emotional counseling services that meet their needs. The project promotes the services of well-being advisors, and publicity activities carried out during the project include communication on social networks and websites, information events.
Project results - 900 people who turned to a welfare counselor with mild signs of anxiety, stress, insomnia, depression or psychological adaptation problems received services and completed a full counseling course.  266,667 individuals learned about mental health problems stigmatization and reduction of stigma during social media campaign. Three publicity activities have been carried out, articles, information leaflets, and posters have been published. Created advertisement is broadcasted on the radio, the publicity of the project is visible in the public transport.

Summary of project results

The incidence of mental and behavioral disorders are increasing in Lithuania. For many years most people in the European Union have died due to suicides. 50 percent of suicides have been associated with depression at the time of suicide, and only 1 in 4 people with depression in Europe receive treatment, much less evidence-based treatment. The aim of the project was to encourage people to seek help in the event of mental health disorders (depression, anxiety, PTSD, behavioral disorders), poverty, social exclusion, unemployment in their primary state in order to reduce the possibility of suicide risk ant mental health diseases.

Any adult who was facing mild emotional difficulties, the first symptoms of anxiety, insomnia or depression could get consultations. During the first meeting, the applicant''s mental health needs, level of psychological well-being and risk factors are assessed, and a service plan is drawn up. If there are suspicions that there are signs of mental and behavioral disorders, in which the wellbeing advisers cannot help within the limits of his competencies, it is recommended to contact a personal health care institution that provides mental health care services, contact information is provided and the procedure for obtaining these services is explained. In two years, more than 300 people received free consultations in Vilnius city.

Also with the help of the project individuals learned about mental health problems stigmatization and reduction of stigma during social media campaigns.

318 different aged people from 19- to 79-year-old got wellbeing advisers consultations. People who ‘ve been consulted left positive feedback, and mentioned that they got answers to relevant questions, got competencies how to cope with stress, anxiety or insomnia individually. They got all the information about further possible help, if wellbeing advisers could not help them with their problems.

Information on the projects funded by the EEA and Norway Grants is provided by the Programme and Fund Operators in the Beneficiary States, who are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of this information.