Działania edukacyjne i wsparcie wolontariuszy w ruchu samopomocowym osób z doświadczeniem choroby psychicznej. Przykład grupy wsparcia TROP
Educational activities and support for volunteers in the self-help movement of people with the experience of mental illness. The example of The Support Group TROP

Summary/Abstract: The formation of self-help movements and support groups for mentally ill people has initiated changes in social attitude towards them and in mental health treatment system. In Poland, such initiatives are still in the initial phase of creation, there are only a few such groups. Self-help groups in general provide support by sharing emotions and a sense of understanding connected to experiencing similar problems. One of the most important functions of self-help groups is spreading reliable knowledge about specificity of mental disorders and the recovery process. Educating through direct contact with a mentally ill person is associated with a better understanding of them, as well as a lower level of stigmatizing convictions. One of the examples of a resilient self-help group is the Support Group TROP which is working in Warsaw. Its members conduct numerous educational activities that constitute a signifi cant part of the Groups activity. These activities include lectures for pupils, students, and organizations, presentations at conferences or appearances in the media. From the beginning of TROP Group existence, all activities have been supported by volunteers – psychology students. Volunteers through non-paid work can deepen knowledge about the functioning of self-help movement and the situation of mentally ill people, and at the same time support group members in several initiatives. Volunteers have become a permanent and very important part of all implemented projects. Members of TROP describe volunteers as allies.

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