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Description
Under the Mental Health Protection Programme of the district of Kielce for 2018-2022, the number of people receiving psychiatric care in 2015 was 9 885, and 11 185 in 2016. Discussions with heads of social welfare facilities reveal that many people exhibiting mental health disorders do not admit it. This group is still clearly stigmatised, particularly in rural areas. This was shown by a survey we conducted in 2020.This project aims to improve the individual standing and self-determination of twenty people aged over eighteen who are experiencing mental crisis, and to combat the stigma surrounding this group in the Świętokrzyskie voivodeship.We will give training to people with experience of mental crisis to be self-advocates in a two-year training course comprising workshops (self-knowledge, knowing one’s rights, communication and leadership skills), integration meetings, sharing know-how, and advocacy activities overseen by coaches. Participants will be given individual support from specialists: psychological counselling, legal advice, and advice on public speaking and image-building. We will organise Recovery Assistant training. We will ensure that a support network is formed by organising an educational excursion for people in crisis and those close to them. Ten crisis teams (providing help quickly at an early stage of a crisis) and a coalition for mental health will be formed, to draw up a recommendation on local policy for aiding people in crisis.In the project, a model system will be implemented for assisting people in mental crisis: emergency help will be provided for ten people and ten people will improve their competences, of whom five will begin self-advocacy activities.Ten people who have experienced a mental health crisis, ten people in crisis remission, and ten people close to them, will participate.
Summary of project results
The project addresses the problem of exclusion and stigmatisation of people experiencing a mental health crisis in Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. In 2011, the voivodeship was one of the regions with the highest prevalence of mental disorders in the population aged 18-64 - the percentage was as high as 27.8% (EZOP). The number of people receiving psychiatric care in Kielce Voivodeship in 2015 was 9885 people and in 2016 - 11185, which was 5.4% of the county''s population. People in and after a mental health crisis, due to their illness and/or lack of acceptance by their environment, remain excluded from social and professional life for many months or even years, despite their potential. A major problem is the low level of awareness of mental illness in the community and the stigma, self-stigma, marginalisation and isolation of people with mental illness. This is an additional source of difficulty in fulfilling social roles and an obstacle to receiving adequate support in the recovery process.
The project developed and implemented a ''Model Support System for People in and After a Mental Health Crisis''. A series of trainings for 13 people with experience of a mental health crisis were prepared and implemented to prepare them for the role of self-advocates. The programme included workshops to develop knowledge of one''s rights, communication and leadership skills, integration meetings, sharing experiences and conducting advocacy activities. Individual support was provided to programme participants in the form of psychological and legal counselling, as well as assistance with public speaking and working with the media. Training was provided to prepare for the role of recovery assistant. The creation of a support network was initiated by organising an educational trip for people in crisis and their families. 10 crisis teams were set up to provide rapid assistance in the early stages of a crisis. A local Mental Health Coalition was also set up - a partnership between the main people and institutions working with people in mental health crisis in the Kielce district, i.e. OPS, MOPR, health services, community centres, NGOs, self-advocates, supporters and recovery assistants. The coalition developed recommendations for a local policy to support people in crisis.
Dissemination activities were carried out by self-advocates and, at the same time, recovery assistants who acquired competences and qualifications in the project entitled ‘Homo Homini’. A self-advocacy theatre tour was implemented as part of the project entitled ‘Just life’. The recipients of the project were people in mental health crisis and staff of key institutions supporting this group of people. The performance was translated into Polish Sign Language. 80 people took part in the activities of the project entitled ‘Just life ’. Two events were held, during which the play ‘Just life’ was staged and discussions were held on the role of the recovery assistant, self-advocate and methods of their education.
The project succeeded in implementing a model support system for people in mental health crisis. People with mental illness have received concrete intervention support and have developed the necessary skills to fulfil their role as self-advocates. Direct support was provided to 25 people. The project contributed not only to increasing the skills and competences of the participants, improving their mental health, but also to the development of intersectoral cooperation and counteracting the stigmatisation of people in mental health crisis in Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship.