Establishment of mental health prevention programs

Project facts

Project promoter:
Development Agency for Upper Gorenjska
Project Number:
SI05-0014
Target groups
People with mental health problems,
Civil servants/Public administration staff
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€339,740
Final project cost:
€325,777
From Norway Grants:
€ 263,065
The project is carried out in:
Gorenjska

Description

Slovenian public institutions still do not enable participation in various forms of preventive psychotherapeutic treatment. An individual has the possibility to be a self-funding patient, but those most in need of help usually do not have the financial means. The main objectives of the project are improvement of quality and accessibility of services in the field of mental health, better qualifications of professionals and greater awareness about the importance of good mental health. The project will focus on prevention programmes. A network of free of charge counselling centres in the area of Upper Carniola (at least 3) will be established, analysis of the current situation in the field of mental health for this area will be prepared and programmes for strengthening mental health (at least 2) will be developed. The project will be properly promoted (brochure and video-ad). We will also prepare and establish trainings for professionals (including at least 120). The project will benefit persons in need of psychological and social help on the one hand and professionals in contact with vulnerable groups on the other.

Summary of project results

More and more people are in mental distress, but those who need help the most, are often not able to afford it. The greatest emphasis is placed on treatment, rehabilitation and long-term care, while the existing programmes of promotion of mental care and prevention of mental disorders are still rare and unequally accessible. The main objective of the project was to improve mental health services with emphasis on prevention and promotion. The specific objective was also a general awareness in society about the importance of good mental health. Objectives have been with implemented project activities achieved, at least in short-term. The main outcomes were: - improved local capacities in the field of mental health, - greater competence of professionals in contact with vulnerable groups in the field of mental health, - greater awareness in society about the importance of good mental health. Set outcomes have been mainly achieved in the area of the Upper Carniola with the help of delivered outputs. The main project outputs were: 1. A network of free-of-charge counselling centres in the area of Upper Carniola 2. Analysis of the current situation in the field of mental health and research report Employees' well-being and their attitudes toward mentally ill people in big companies of Upper Carniola 3. Free of charge programmes for the promotion and strengthening of mental health of vulnerable target groups 4. Prepared brochure on the relevance of mental health: Take care of your mental health, take the first step in time! 5. Video ad on the subject of promotion of the relevance of good mental health 6. Programmes of training for professionals - 2 training programs for health professionals - 2 training programs for social workers - 1 training program for nursing students and the accreditation and inclusion of elective subject on the theme of mental health in the curriculum of the Faculty of Health Care Jesenice - transfer of programs to other institutions The main beneficiaries were people in need of psycho-social assistance and professionals in contact with vulnerable groups. Within the project, individuals and professionals have gained new knowledge, experience and information that will help them long term in everyday life as well as in the professional environment. New knowledge, experience and advice were received in form of personal counselling, various workshops and training courses.

Summary of bilateral results