Some of PISEP experts have extensive experience in psychiatric ambulatory services and clinics, qualification and extensive practice in family consultation and family therapy, as well as good knowledge of the dynamics of family systems in which one of the parents has a mental disturbance, and the risks this presents for the children. PISEP established (in the period 2000-2004) groups for development of emotional competence and social skills of children from poor families, which often included children of parents with mental disturbance. 9 years of follow-up observation established the sustainable protective effect of such preventive measures in combination with consultations for the parents.
Although international commitments have been undertaken and signed, in Bulgaria there are no policies or preventive programs focusing on those children.
Good partnership between PISEP and BAAT in past joint projects focusing on children, for example with homes for children and the staff working with these children.
PISEP firmly believes in position expressed by WHO in 2009 that mental health is the key to understanding more general health and social issues and is "absolutely fundamental" to how whole societies function.
Establishment of a Center for psycho-social support and respect for difference: Implementation, for the first time in Bulgaria, of a Preventive program, focused on children and families in which one of the parents has a mental disturbance. A Program based on eco-system approach, consisting of a set of mutually-reinforcing activities:
individual work with children; family and parent consultations; children’s group (age: 6-10) for development of psychological, social and instrumental skills; summer occupational and study hall (age: 3-6); youth teams for social activities (age:10-18); supporting the organization and initiatives of two self-help groups – of people with mental disability and of their partners.
- A Center for psycho-social support and respect for difference was established; approbated and implemented preventive and promotion program in the sphere of mental health, constituting a structure of well-synchronized elements.
- Reduced risks to the mental development of 74 children of parents with mental disabilities. A supportive peer context established for the children.
- Developed inner capacity in their families to respond flexibly to the evolving needs of these children in the process of their growth. Fostered rehabilitation in the family of 56 mental patients, improved quality of life, empowerment with respect to their treatment. Raised awareness and improved skills in 51 partners of mental patients for coping with psychiatric crises, seeking help, as well as enhanced social activeness.
- Raised sensitivity of 38 volunteers and of 352 representatives of professionals from all over the country, institutions and the media to the need for adequate preventive programs and policies concerning children of mentally ill parents. Enhanced knowledge of specific techniques for raising mental resilience of children, for coping with stress and good parenting. Broadly disseminated information about opportunities for receiving specialized support.
- A self-organizing activity was initiated aiming at changing the widely present stigmatizing and discriminating attitudes and practices towards “those who are different”. Prerequisites created for its viable development.
Contact information
Association Psychotherapy Institute of Social Ecology of Personality (PISEP)
23, Solunska street, Sofia 1000, Bulgaria
Roumen Hristov Georgiev, Chair of Board, [email protected]
Tel.: ++359 2 981 50 62
Cell Phone: ++359 888 537 376
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