The aim of FILMI is to support the pathways to independent living of people with serious mental disorders, with the following specific objectives: - Strengthen the roles of families in the recovery and promotion of the independent life of relatives with mental suffering, examining the strengths and weaknesses of their work and developing moments of peer training; - Identify the good practices implemented by associations to support life paths towards independent housing arrangements; - Develop the competencies of people who work in family associations; - Raise awareness among political decision makers and other interested parties, involving them through meetings, workshops and conferences; - Create the foundations of a first transnational network of associations active in supporting the independent life of their most fragile relatives.
People with mental disorders can aspire to an independent life and independent living, after the closure of mental hospitals. However, they require the support of families, as well as social and health services. But the role of the families of these people is not always valued by the territory and taken into account by public mental health services. It is therefore necessary for families to acquire new knowledge and skills so that their role and that of family associations that support the independent living of the most fragile member are strengthened and recognized. New skills that contribute to the empowerment of family members, also through knowledge of methods and activities carried out by associations in other European countries. In each territory, the independent living of people with mental disorders is addressed and resolved in a different way, and the interventions vary depending on the legislation in force and the different role of the services involved and the different social and economic support offered by public bodies, and the comparison between different experiences offers the possibility of improving and strengthening family interventions.