The project aimed to foster the social inclusion and skill development of psychiatric patients through innovative drama therapy practices. By using drama therapy as a tool, the project sought to combat mental health stigma, both for patients and healthcare professionals, while simultaneously equipping cultural and healthcare operators with essential transversal skills in working with psychiatric patients. Additionally, the project promoted the exchange of best practices in drama therapy across the EU, creating opportunities for networking and collaboration among professionals. This helped establish forward-looking learning environments at both national and EU levels, contributing to the well-being and empowerment of psychiatric patients.
The project was initiated to address the pressing need for improved mental health services & resources, particularly in light of growing global concerns about mental health, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite mental health being recognized by the WHO as an integral part of health since 1978, the lack of adequate resources and funding has resulted in unmet needs for psychiatric patients across the EU. The "Health at a Glance Europe" report highlights that 84 million people in the EU suffer from mental health problems, yet government spending on mental health is far below the recommended levels. Traditional therapies often fail to address the social & learning needs of psychiatric patients, leaving gaps in their treatment. This project aims to fill those gaps by integrating creative/recreational approaches based on drama therapy, which has proven benefits for patients’ overall well-being and self-esteem. The project also addresses the need for formalized training frameworks to equip cultural operators and healthcare providers to work effectively in these therapeutic settings, as well as the need for the direct involvement of psychiatric patients in their upskilling of competencies pathway.