EMPOWER.Ment. Empowering people with Severe Mental Health Difficulties through inclusion in every step of the training and therapeutic path Erasmus Project

Project Title

EMPOWER.Ment. Empowering people with Severe Mental Health Difficulties through inclusion in every step of the training and therapeutic path

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for adult education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Open and distance learning; Inclusion – equity; Disabilities – special needs

Project Summary

Of all groups of people with disabilities, people with severe mhd, experience the greater level of social exclusion, due to various reasons, with lack of knowledge, ignorance and stigma being the predominant ones among them. In other words, it is not the condition per se of the people with smhd that obliges them to not participate in social activities, work, live like all, but the beliefs that surround their condition and them in general. Although there is an increase of the population who experience severe mhd, as research has shown, and are being diagnosed with a smhd throughout the EU over the past years, little has been achieved from their inclusion point of view. That causes a serious human burden, family/friends burden, professionals’ lack of therapeutic success and serious discrimination and violation of human rights.
The proposed project aims at empowering people with severe mhd to be included socially, through ensuring their inclusion in every step of the training and/or therapeutic pathway – from planning to evaluation. That, will be acheived through the proper training and preparation of volunteers, friends/family, mental health professionals, university students, who surround and support people with smhd.
At the same time, the outcomes of the project will facilitate all people surrounding a person with smhd to ensure it’s equal participation in every aspect of their life.
On the other hand, trainers, trainees, professionals, volunteers and youth workers, support workers, as well as family and friends, all will become familiar with ways of social inclusion and be acquainted with solutions while working with people with smhd.
Finally, this project will introduce a cross-European terminology on severe mhd, that can play an important role in forming new beliefs for severe mental health distress, which, in consequence, may lead to a new approach in the social inclusion of people with smhd.
Taking into account the fact that more and more people experience smhd, making sure that they participate in the planning and implementation of others’ training and/or their own therapeutic path, is a crucial factor for the promotion of social inclusion for this social group. It is equally important to have in mind that mental health difficulties have a cross-cultural and inter-national nature, so, this project can be of use to every european country.
General Objectives
To introduce and ensure empowerment and inclusive support for people with severe mhd, through preparation (training), mindset (toolkit) and supervision (guide) for volunteers, family/friends, professionals, students
Specific Objectives
•To empower people with smhd feel and be included
•To support all interested in supporting people with smhd while being inclusive and empowering towards them
•To align provided support with the UNCRPD, EU mental health action plan and respect of human rights of people with smhd
•To promote inclusive support training in mental health through a new language and mindset
The project involves 1 Greek Ngo, 1 Italian Social Cooperative, 1 Italian University, 1 Dutch Foundation, 1 Cypriot training company, 1 Icelandic Ngo, committed in initiatives and services addressed to people with severe mental health difficulties. Each country offers a different insight and approach on methodologies (theoretical, practical, scientific) concerning severe mhd, allowing for the project to be complete & adequate for volunteers, trainees, professionals, friends/family, people with smhd
Activities
– 1 online kick-off meeting and numerous online meetings during project implementation
– 3 in-presence meetings with representatives of the partner organizations
– 2 mobility experiences (18 participants)
– pilot testing of MOOC elearning module (100 trainees)
– 1 focus group / partner country
– Walkathon with min 200 participants
Outputs
O1 – Methodological guide on EMPOWER.Ment: from inspiration to impact – a guide to incorporate the results into everyday life, clinical practice, support and services
O2 – Toolkit “We say, You say, They say” – a glossary for a new inclusive approach in mental health support
O3 – EMPOWER.Ment e-learning module via MOOC, in order to train volunteers, youngsters, family, professionals into inclusive support for people with smhd
Impact
The impact of the project can be found in a shift of participants’ attitude and beliefs towards mental health and people with severe mhd, towards a more inclusive and empowering mindset.
Due to the nature of the project, we expect project results and outcomes to be incorporated into mental health services, into the lives of people with smhd and trainees/professionals/volunteers training in support providing. The impact will be measured through specific indicators even two years after the completion of the project.
Dissemination plan
2 multiplier events/country and several dissemination channels, 1 dedicated website, social media accounts, network of partners/associates, articles, blogs

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 201339 Eur

Project Coordinator

ANIMA non-profit ngo & Country: EL

Project Partners

• STICHTING DUTCH FOUNDATION OF INNOVATION WELFARE 2 WORK
• Hugarafl
• L’Ovile Cooperativa di Solidarietà Sociale scrl
• T-HAP LTD
• UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI MODENA E REGGIO EMILIA