Description
General objective of the project is to bring to the community an in-depth knowledge of the importance of mental health and well being; to bring mental health problems in the grassroots level into focus of policy deciders and policy makers; to develop mental health coalition VATEK as professional and sustainable mental health spokesperson. The main target groups of the project are: consumers of mental health services, mental health professionals, universities and collages specialists teaching mental health, members of the mental health coalition VATEK, policy makers at the state level. The implementation plan of the project includes: cooperation between project partners, giving training courses for improving capacity of policy development and advocacy, conducting public information sessions organized in 15 counties of Estonia, organizing two mental health fairs, developing of mental health coalition website, developing policy document of mental health. The two main expected outcomes are: to develop mental health coalition as professional mental health spokesperson and to uniform in society’s knowledge of the importance of promoting mental health.
Summary of project results
General objective of the project was to bring to the community an in-depth knowledge of the importance of mental health and well being; to bring mental health problems in the grassroots level into focus of policy deciders and policy makers; to develop mental health coalition VATEK as professional and sustainable mental health spokesperson. The main target groups of the project were: consumers of mental health services, mental health professionals, universities and collages specialists teaching mental health, members of the mental health coalition VATEK, policy makers at the state level. For now, in 2016, VATEK has grown to a network of 46 organizations related to mental health (nongovernmental organizations, public sector organizations, professional organizations, trade companies). During the period of project activities 18 new organizations joined on VATEK. Members of the network organizations of VATEK participated monthly in project meetings and in training courses for improving capacity of policy development. 40 people participated in the training courses. As a result of the project activities VADEK has become a professional and sustainable mental health spokesperson having a good cooperation with Ministry of Social Affairs of Estonia and organizations in the field on health, social protection, education, defense department, etc. By virtue of project aims, VATEK organized from May 2014 to November 2014 public information sessions in 15 counties of Estonia. Approximately 650 persons participated in sessions. The main massage of the information sessions was maintenance of positive mental health and gather input information for mental health strategy. VATEK organized Mental Health Fairs in Tallinn on the World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2014 and on October 10, 2015. The main message of the fairs was maintenance of positive mental health and prevention mental health problems. VATEK will organize the mental health fair on October 8, 2016. One of the most significant achievements, expected to have a major impact on the mental health of Estonian citizens, was the creation of the Mental Health Strategy 2016-2025 for Estonia.
Summary of bilateral results
The Norwegian Council for Mental Health (NCMH) was involved in the project as a partner. Arne Orum from the NCMH participated in project meeting in May 12, 2014 for improving capacity of policy development and advocacy of the members of the VATEK. The partner disseminated knowledge and experiences about the main aims of the NCMH in project meeting in May 12, 2014. During the meeting partners formulated the special focus areas of the VATEK. NGO Fund contributed to strengthened bilateral relations. Members of the VATEK have planned to continue international cooperation and possibly ask a representative of the NCMH to visit VATEK again in 2016. Arne Orum from the NCMH participated in project meeting in May 12, 2014 for improving capacity of policy development and advocacy of the members of the VATEK. The partner disseminated knowledge and experiences about the main aims of the mental health coalition in Norway. This was highly valuable information for strengthening similar coalition in Estonia. During the meeting partners formulated the special focus areas of the VATEK and discussed how to make activities of the VATEK more visible. During the period of project activities 18 new organizations joined the VATEK.