Mad Balkans - Transforming psychiatry through art

Project description

IThe objectives of this international project are: 1) Social inclusion and improving the quality of life of users of psychiatric services through artistic creation, interaction, dialogue and joint artistic expression and production, in collaboration with professional artists and art professors. 2) Promotion of art as a means of providing support to users of psychiatric services through education of students and employees in the mental health system (primarily occupational therapists, but also others interested in the application of art therapy methods at work). 3) Promotion of the application of artistic expression for the purpose of improving mental health in the community and connecting with the countries of the region and the EU. 4) Achieving long-term results by publishing educational manuals and transferring knowledge and skills to future practitioners in the field of the use of art in working with users of psychiatric services. 5) Empowering a network of artists, users of psychiatric services, students and other interested parties from the region to establish associations dealing with mental health in the community and use art therapy methods in working with users of psychiatric services.

Research in psychiatry shows that art therapy is the most effective psychotherapeutic approach in working with people who have experienced psychosis. We believe that this type of training can be of great benefit to people who work with users of psychiatric services on a daily basis in the context of the official mental health system, because it can provide them with a new perspective on the process of providing support through art, a new perspective on the relationship between users and providers, as well as some new applicable ideas that they can implement in their work. Continuous education and knowledge that participants will acquire after these trainings will affect the quality of services provided by psychiatric institutions in the region and will open the door for international cooperation and improvement of mental health care through a multidisciplinary approach based on human rights and the real needs of people living with mental health difficulties. For students, this training is an opportunity to expand their knowledge and horizons and to be informed about the possibilities for further professional development in this field.

Objective

- Innovation

Priorities

- Social inclusion