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Description
This project aims at promoting leadership skills and empowering people with experience of mental illness. It includes a training component on the topic of leadership to the target audience (integrating 10 people with experience in mental illness in the training team) and another awareness raising component and public outreach, through sensitization sessions in universities and schools (with speakers people with experience in mental illness). The whole project was designed with the support of people with experience of mental illness using participatory methods.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address several critical issues faced by individuals with mental health conditions, who represent 11.75% of the Portuguese population according to the Directorate-General for Health. Historically, this group has suffered from discrimination, segregation, and a lack of voice in political, social, institutional, and community contexts. The ongoing lack of information about mental health issues leads to stigma and social exclusion, making this group vulnerable due to limited opportunities for participation and integration in the community.
International studies and recommendations highlight the need to emphasize the agency and active role of people with mental health conditions, who have traditionally been seen as passive clients dependent on mental health services. The project sought to promote empowerment and capabilities within this group, using the capabilities approach, which focuses on social justice and equal opportunities. This approach addresses the lack of social and material conditions necessary for full community integration, such as education and political and civic participation.
Additionally, the project aimed to combat stigma through education and information, encouraging the target group to lead awareness and information campaigns to reduce prejudice and foster an open attitude towards human diversity.
The project aimed to address several critical issues faced by individuals with mental health conditions, who represent 11.75% of the Portuguese population according to the Directorate-General for Health. Historically, this group has suffered from discrimination, segregation, and a lack of voice in political, social, institutional, and community contexts. The ongoing lack of information about mental health issues leads to stigma and social exclusion, making this group vulnerable due to limited opportunities for participation and integration in the community.
International studies and recommendations highlight the need to emphasize the agency and active role of people with mental health conditions, who have traditionally been seen as passive clients dependent on mental health services. The project sought to promote empowerment and capabilities within this group, using the capabilities approach, which focuses on social justice and equal opportunities. This approach addresses the lack of social and material conditions necessary for full community integration, such as education and political and civic participation.
Additionally, the project aimed to combat stigma through education and information, encouraging the target group to lead awareness and information campaigns to reduce prejudice and foster an open attitude towards human diversity.
The project achieved significant results across four specific objectives, benefiting individuals with mental health experience (PEDM) and the broader community:
Regarding Leadership Development:
10 collaborators with mental health experience were hired and trained in leadership through a comprehensive course.
The course included 15 online sessions from September 2020 to February 2021, with 21 participants and 15 trainers (7 national and 8 international).
Topics covered included the international PEDM movement, human rights and advocacy, peer support, recovery, and empowerment. Participants highly valued the training, especially the modules led by international leaders with direct mental health experience.
Regarding the Peer Workshops and Awareness Sessions:
6 online Peer Workshops were conducted between March and April 2021, involving 75 participants from 16 national NGOs and IPSS.
20 Awareness Sessions were held via Zoom in universities and secondary schools in Lisbon, Faro, and Porto, reaching 586 students.
These sessions were positively evaluated for their impact on valuing human diversity and were aimed at future professionals in social and human sciences.
Regarding the National Platform and Networking:
Bi-weekly online meetings led to the establishment of the National Platform for PEDM, fostering a sense of belonging and active participation among peers.
The platform facilitated national connections and empowered PEDM to collectively address personal and social discrimination issues, and to develop advocacy and citizenship strategies.
Regarding the International Conference and Dissemination:
The International Conference included participants from across the country, mental health professionals, official representatives, and international leaders. The conference and other project dissemination products (personal testimony videos, website) promoted anti-discrimination efforts related to mental health.
Overall, the project successfully empowered PEDM, enhanced their leadership skills, and raised awareness about mental health issues, benefiting both the participants and the wider community.
Summary of bilateral results
The present project established a partnership with two Norwegian entities, namely Stiftelsen Milepælen Ungdomshjem and the Norwegian Resource Centre for Community Mental Health (NAPHA), due to their development of intervention programs similar to those of the national partner entities. As planned in the application, these two Norwegian organizations participated in training activities within the scope of Leadership Training, where they presented their experiences and results. This facilitated the promotion of mutual knowledge and understanding, the sharing of best practices, and reflection on the most effective intervention models for promoting empowerment. The Norwegian Resource Centre for Community Mental Health (being an entity in the field of mental health) also participated in the International PEDM Conference organized at the end of the project, where they had the opportunity to present and disseminate their work (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUoa5TWWOlk).