Events in project “Social inclusion of people with poor mental health in Municipality Strelcha “

 Training of staff working in social service

In December 2014 in Strelcha team was trained for working in a social service- Center for social support. There were six training modules on topics: “Motivating people from the target group for social inclusion”, “Psychopathology”, “Family as a partner for the rehabilitation of people with poor mental health”, “Methods of social services for people with mental health problems” “Crisis intervention”, “Writing programs for social services.”

Trainees mastered the knowledge and acquired skills to work with people in difficult life situations. They were developed programs for rehabilitation and integration.

Introductory press conference

On 01/21/2015 at the Youth House – Strelcha, a press conference was held to launch the project. The event was attended by the Secretary of Strelcha municipality, representatives of the municipal administration and local institutions, the project team, members of the Club for Mental Health – Strelcha and the media.

With  presentation the head of the social service Center for social support – Mrs. Mariana Dekova, familiarized the attendees with the purpose and activities of the project. Team members received certificates for training to work in social service.

Creation of a Centre for Social Support

On 01/28/2015 social service Center for social support was opened. The team of experts held the first briefing at the Youth House – Strelcha.

During the preparatory phase furniture and equipment was made at two premises in the Youth Center – Administrative office and room for group work, which were adapted for the social service. The team consists of the Head of Service, Program Coordinator, chess coach, dance teacher and assistant. Each week sessions will be held for the people of the target group.

Lecture “Mental health problems”

On February 25, 2015 at 17:00 pm. in the Youth House – Strelcha a lecture was held on the topic “Problems of Mental Health” by Dr. Emil Markov – psychiatrist. The event was organized by the program “Training for Mental Health” at the Center for social support. The event was attended by team of social service users and their relatives, representatives of local institutions, friends and supporters of the mental health. Participants increased knowledge of the mental health care and treatment of people with mental health problems, learned more about the connection between human values ​​and the mental health. Dr. Markov presented the staggering pattern of perceiving the world, which helps the rehabilitation of people with mental health problems and their return to the community.

Program “Training for Mental Health” includes six lectures on topics related to the prevention and treatment of mental illness. The course will raise awareness of the local community on the subject and will contribute to overcoming the stigma against people with mentally ill health.

Activity of the programs for rehabilitation

Users of the Center for social support are actively involved in rehabilitation programs. In February  martenitsi were made, which were distributed to local institutions and citizens. It was organized visit to an institution under the “Social skills” program and participation in the Day of amateur under program “Cultural life”. Dance lessons, meetings of the chess club and day trip to the “Gramadaka” district were held in program “Sport and tourism”.

Center for social support “Chovekolubie” on tourist trip to Hisar

 On April 24, 2015 the Center for Social Support “Chovekolubie” held tourist excursion route Starossel-Hisar.

The tourists visited the Thracian complex Starosel and Hisar town. They visited the tombs and temples near Starossel and learned more about the life of Thracians. In Hisar the group visited the Archaeological Museum with ethnographic exhibition. The group visited the “Colonnade” – fountain built on thermal spring, a symbol of Hisar, and the massive walls.

 The tourist excursion brought participants closer and enriched their knowledge of our historical past.

Lecture “Psychological crisis – through therapy solutions” in Strelcha

On April 27, 2015 at 13:00pm in the Youth House – Strelcha there was a lecture on “Mental crisis – through therapy solutions” by Dr. Vladimir Bostandjiev – psychotherapist. The event was attended by team members and users of the Center for Social Support “Chovekolubie” – Strelcha, team members of the Centre “Chovekolubie” – Pazardzhik, representatives of the municipal administration – Strelcha, Home respite care, friends and supporters of the cause of the mental health. The initiative is organised by program “Training for Mental Health” at the Center for Social Support “Chovekolubie” – Strelcha.

The lecture “Mental crisis – through therapy solutions” was second in the program. Dr. Vladimir Bostandjiev familiarized the community with his therapeutic practice – therapy through decisions, in which the conscious making of decisions and taking of appropriate action is applied as a method for treating a person in mental crisis. Dr. Bostandjiev is a doctor in the Alexander Hospital. He is author of Bulgaria’s first book describing psychotherapeutic practice – “The language which heals.”

Lecture “Mental health and physical illness”

On June 22, 2015 program “Training for Mental Health” organized lecture on the topic “Mental health and physical illness.” The event was held at the Youth House – Strelcha. The event was attended by team members and users of the Center for Social Support “Chovekolubie” – Strelcha,  guests from Plovdiv, representatives of Center “Chovekolubie” – Pazardzhik, local institutions and organizations, friends and supporters of the cause of mental health.

The lecture “Mental health and physical illness” is the third in a row of the lecture course of the program.  Lecturer was Dr. Nevena Balkanska – psychotherapist in Oncology Dispensary – Plovdiv. She familiarized the audience with the relationship between mental health and physical illness. In discussion with the participants she answered questions related to their health and stress prevention.