The aim of the project was to support, empower and strengthen the core competencies of people with mental illness prior to discharge from a psychiatric ward or hospital in order to support their recovery and return to the community through a developed training module including specific information, practical tools and space for reflection and sharing of experiences.
The project focused on supporting people with mental illness to recover and integrate into the community after returning from hospital or long-term residential care. Hospitalizations, especially long-term hospital or facility stays, are often significant turning points in the lives of people with mental illness. They often spend many weeks, sometimes months or years in hospital and completely lose normal daily routines, contact with loved ones and the environment, and coping strategies. The post-discharge period tends to be challenging, some have low motivation to continue treatment and there is a high risk of suicide. To date, there has been no comprehensive training program in the Czech Republic, Estonia and Croatia to support people with mental illness in this area. As all three partner organisations are involved in the field of mental health care and adult education, they have combined their knowledge and skills to create an education program and support people with mental illness to return to the community.