Name of practice: Caregiving Project

Organisation: IASIS

Country: Attica, Greece  

Funding: Self-funded by IASIS NGO

Description of the Organisation: The Civil Non-Profit Company IASIS NGO was founded 
in 2005. Since its inception, the focus of IASIS NGO has been on the human element. The main objectives of the organisation are to provide psychosocial support, to combat the social exclusion of vulnerable groups of the population, to offer psychological and counselling services, to create equal opportunities and new perspectives for vulnerable groups of the population, to promote mental health, to provide psychiatric care in the community based on the principles of Social Psychiatry and Psychosocial Rehabilitation, and to deliver specialised psychiatric services and psychoeducational interventions to the standards of Psychiatric Reform and the World Health Organization. 

Description of Practice: The Caregiving project by IASIS NGO aims to provide pre-vocational training to beneficiaries undergoing treatment in mental health rehabilitation 
units. Employing a peer-to-peer methodology, the comprehensive training programme empowers 
individuals with mental health conditions to participate in weekly sessions, emphasising pre-vocational development as nursing assistants. Upon completing the training, participants will receive support to enter the workforce either as nursing assistants in limited liability social cooperatives or take on the role of a peer supporter within the mental health unit.The programme enhances professional readiness, instilling key skills for easy adaptation to diverse workplaces. It emphasises improving social skills, fostering collaboration and relationships, nurturing self-awareness, inner growth, and goal achievement. Emotional well-being tools are provided, and discriminative thinking is cultivated through analytical skills. The training session take place three times per week, and encompass a range of essential components such as

(1) fundamental nursing skill training,

(2) readiness for diverse scenarios,

(3) comprehension of the requirements of individuals with mental health conditions,

(4) preparedness for collaboration with psychosocial services,

(5) contribution to fostering a therapeutic environment,

(6) cultivation of self-care and communication proficiencies,

(7) instruction in offering peer-to-peer support,

(8) advancement of selfawareness and peer support skills.

The training sessions and evaluation are delivered face-to-face with the beneficiaries, and it lasts for 72 hours in total (18 hours per month for each one of the four modules). At the end of the training sessions, beneficiaries have the opportunity of on-the-spot implementation of the new knowledge. On the completion of the training, a certification from the IASIS certified training centre is provided

Impact and Sustainability: 

This practice significantly enhances services for individuals with mental health conditions by treating them equally as both learners and peer supporters. This inclusive approach directly meets their needs, 
fostering a supportive environment and improving overall service quality. Emphasising skill development, 
self-awareness, and peer support further enhances its effectiveness.

Empowering individuals with mental health conditions through pre-vocational training, knowledge acquisition, and socialisation is paramount for their inclusion in the workforce or assuming key roles within mental health housing facilities. This approach not only upholds their human rights but also boosts their sense of competence. Vocational training instils crucial skills, fostering confidence and self-esteem. Socialisation builds a supportive community, promoting a sense of belonging. Offering employment or more leading roles within mental health facilities not only honours their right to meaningful work but also reinforces their autonomy and dignity. This holistic approach acknowledges and values the potential of every individual, fostering a comprehensive mental health care paradigm.

Scalability & transferability: Sustainability hinges on viewing beneficiaries as prospective mental health co-workers, reducing institutionalisation, and fostering inclusive employability. A training curriculum is being crafted for wider adoption, with professionals documenting crucial observations to facilitate transferability. Project success is tracked through regular assessments of beneficiaries' well-being and soft skills, overseen by experienced Mental Health Unit staff.

Contact Information: Thanos Loules, EU Senior Project Manager, IASIS