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Description
The MentArt Fest project discusses problems encountered by people with mental health issues. The aim of the project is to illuminate the issue surrounding mental health issues and make it visible to the public. This project will be implemented on two levels; directly in contact with persons with mental health issues by engaging them in to active participation in the activities and further encouraging them, as well as by informing and sensitizing the public about the existence of this problem.
Concerning the people with mental health problems, we expect easier implementation of their rights regarding finding work, acquiring social aids, becoming involved in social activities, and getting accurate and timely information about all types of help available. We expect involvement of a larger number of people with difficulties in the educational programs where they can learn self-help, which would contribute to their stronger engagement in the family, work, and social life.
The additional benefits of the project are lowering the overload of the health-care system in a way that more people with difficulties can find help in the counseling center and solve their problems through counseling and psychotherapy. We will get insight in the state, needs and the living habits of people with mental health issues which will help us in our future projects. Families of people with mental health issues will benefit from this project as well. Most importantly, this project will contribute to creating a high-quality local community without prejudice based on the important human characteristics: acceptance, respect, support and dedication.
Summary of project results
Makarska is considered a developed area where tourism is the main driver of economic progress. However, the accelerated progress and urbanization of the city is not accompanied by the development of the personal qualities of the individual. Due to the accelerated tourism boom, people turned to themselves and neglected the needs of the people around them. The lack of civic solidarity favors the development of various difficulties, both physical and psychological. The only way to combat this problem is to educate and sensitize the public to the existence of psychological problems and the awareness that this is something that can happen to all of us. On the other hand, the difficulties of people with mental difficulties are further increased because people with difficulties see themselves as victims of the circumstances and behavior of other people, forgetting what they are doing to disenfranchise themselves from the possibility of taking control of their own lives. The problem of stigmatization of mental problems exists both on an individual and social level.
Through the MentArt project, the Lanterna Counseling Center is even more recognized as a place where people with mental disabilities can seek and receive professional help from psychologists and psychotherapists, completely free of charge.
We made mental illness and mental health more visible to the public
With the conclusions from the round tables in Makarska and Imotski, we made an important step towards local government as an important stakeholder when it comes to mental health care
One person with mental disabilities participated in the Round Table in Imotski
Through the work of Fokus groups, participants of Fokus groups abandoned the role of victims and began to see themselves as active and main actors in their lives.
the main results of the project are to ensure better living conditions for people with mental disabilities by protecting their rights and improving their health, and to make the public aware of the existence of an increasing number of people with mental disabilities and the importance of preserving and improving mental health while seeking help in a timely manner.