“IASIS” Mental Health Care Unit SERVICES & ACTIONS CONCERNING THE PROMOTION OF MENTAL HEALTH Ilias Rafail – Psychologist November 2010.

“IASIS” Mental Health Care

Unit

SERVICES & ACTIONS CONCERNING THE PROMOTION OF MENTAL HEALTH

Ilias Rafail – Psychologist

November 2010

Promotion of mental health in all stages

IASIS the scientific, non-profit organization

founded in 2005 by acting in the prevention and treatment of mental health illness in the frame of

psychiatric reform

Two main structures

The Boarding House

(the unit of socio -Psychological Rehabilitation)

The Day Center

(the unit of rehabilitation, skill Development and Education)

The residents of IASIS community house consist of 15 people aged between 25-70 with serious disabilities and/or psychiatric disorders who were living for long time in closed psychiatric hospitals or other institutions, excluded and isolated by the community and other social networks

The boarding house:

The Boarding House

Provides a warm and friendly environment which aims to integrate residents back into society by helping them to develop their personals and social skills in life

Services aiming at the promotion of mental health and rehabilitation

• Medical treatment and medication

• Social support and networking (with other agencies,families and friends)

• Psychological -therapeutic work (individually or in groups)

• Educational and creative activities

• cultural services and cultural events

• Physical rehabilitation

The Day center IASIS

Was created in 2006 in the heart of Athens, by providing specialized socio- psychological services in the prevention and treatment of mental health illness and disorder within society

Beneficiaries of the day center services

Adult people of Attica who suffer of mental health disorders and or other disabilities even live with their families or in a psychiatric setting or community house

Immigrants who needs empowerment and support

People interested in mental health issues (trainees, volunteers and others )

The whole community

Day center and the treatment of mental health illness

Psychiatric assessment and medication

Individualized and or in groups psychological-therapeutical support to person and its family

Occupational therapy and other creative activities

Physical rehabilitation and educational services in health issues (nutrition, hygiene, safety e.t.c)

educational activities and other learning activities (computer, foreign languages, learning groups)

cultural events and recreational activities

Services in the treatment of mental health illness

Weekly daily program aiming at: Improving people's personal and social

competencies in life Increasing the self- awareness and self-

confidence Encouraging self-expression and interaction with

others Activating people with mental health problem and

disabilities to be included within society

Day center and the prevention of mental health illness

Provides training and guidance to volunteers and trainees in terms of mental health issues

increases the awareness of the general public in terms of mental health issues by organizing festivals, conferences, trainings, seminars

Provides chances of training to its specialists by keeping them informed for issues related to mental health issues and rehabilitation

Contact and cooperation with agencies in the promotion of health

Conducting research and publications

The therapeutic team• Psychiatric

• Pathologist

• Psychologists

• Psysiotherapists

• Occupational therapist

• Social workers

• Nurses

• Freelance educators

• Volunteers and trainees

Training the trainers program

Need analysis: Lack of knowledge of cultural background

for immigrants The borders between psychological

problems and cultural or post-tramautic shock was not always clear

Wrong Diagnosis, wrong approach

Training the trainers program – methodological framework

• Experimental training

• 6 days workshop

• Simulations, group exercises

• Simplicity, real -time supervisor

Training the trainers program – module's key words

• Empathy

• Active Listening

• Knowledge of Diversity

• Cultural approach

• Communication

Training the trainers program – results

• Efficient psychological approach for immigrants

• Right Diagnosis – decreasing mistakes

• Up to 150 immigrants – clients of our unit

• Well informed and trained counselors

Thank you :)