Parent's school - lifelong learning for mental health (2001-2004)

Supported by the European Commission, DG Education and Training - Grundtvig Programme
Co-ordinating organisation: Estuar Foundation (RO)
Partner organisations: Association for Child and Family Mental Health (PL), The Institute for Educational Sciences (RO), Mental Health Europe (BE), InterMinds (UK)

Objectives of the project:

• create a training pack and European good practices in education for mental health addressed to parents of mentally ill offspring, NGO staff and specialist working in mental health;
• develop information, guidance and counselling services for parents of mentally ill offspring;
• inspire lifelong learning interest in order to offer adequate help for people with mental health problems.

Main activities:

• In each country, working groups were created and training was given to parents of mentally ill offspring, staff working with people with mental health problems and NGOs staff members.
• Meetings with parents were held in each country , to share their experiences and self-help groups were set up.
• A training manual was elaborated and tested with parents in three countries (Romania, Poland and United Kingdom). The manual was adapted to the country culture and translated in three languages.

Results:

A training of trainers Manual, adapted to each country, was elaborated. The training pack is mainly dedicated to the parents of mentally ill offspring and will be used by the "parents-trainers" to help, support and train other parents in achieving the same knowledge. It will be also used by specialists and NGO staff for their parents counselling and support sessions.

The specific group of learners - parents with mentally ill offspring - was estimated to 4000 in the participating countries. There was an estimated number of at least 250 specialists involved. At least 40% of trained people were men.

The first part of the Manual gives a theoretical introduction to the principle of lifelong-learning, the principle of care, of self-help movement. Issues dealt with are: adult education concept, learning from experience, benefits of support groups and emotional learning, where to seek for treatment and help, type of services are available.

Another chapter is dedicated to increasing information and understanding about mental illness and to helping parents to find solutions in difficult situations. Issues like practical problems such as those associated with financial difficulties, household and social functioning, or issues related to emotional burden, feelings of anguish, guilt, anger and loss are also commented on.

The Manual includes also parents' testimonies and practical exercises for trainers which turn on principles of organising a support group, strategies for maintaining and reinforcing group cohesion, development of communication abilities and ways of coping with suffering.

The "Parent's School Manual" can be downloaded in English, Polish and Romanian from: http://parents-school.estuar.org/.

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