December 20, 2022
News
Caritas Czech Republic is supporting the process of deinstitutionalisation and development of quality services for people with mental health problems. As a starting point, Caritas Czech Republic will set up 2 houses as part of "Supported Housing" service in order to increase the degree of independence and community integration of people with mental disorders. The residents of these houses will have the chance to reintegrate into the community and live a better life from that in boarding schools or residential institutions.
What is Supported Housing and what service does it include?
Supported Housing is a social service that facilitates the deinstitutionalisation of people with mental health problems and enables them to remain in a mainstream environment, giving them the chance to lead an independent life and helping them acquire the basic skills needed for independent living.
Supported Housing is a home for people with mental health problems who will benefit from support for integration into the community under the constant guidance of community mental health centres representatives, family doctors and community social workers.
In their new home, the residents will have the chance to live a life far different from that in boarding schools or residential institutions. They will learn how to communicate and connect to members of the community, how to carry out household tasks, how to contact their social worker or family doctor, how to collect their allowances from the post office, how to shop or how to manage their budget. At the same time, they will receive guidance in finding jobs.
Caritas Czech Republic will pilot 2 supporting houses in 2023
As part of its newest initiative, Caritas Czech Republic will inaugurate 2 houses as part of Supported Housing service in Moldova. The team has identified the locations of the future residences that will become homes for people with mental disorders from the north and center region of Moldova.
The spaces will be offered free of charge by local public authorities who support the creation and multiplication of social services for people with mental health problems. The 2 supporting houses will be designed and equipped in the same way as a traditional home and will accommodate up to 6 people per home.
The first Supported Housing will be inaugurated in Glodeni (Moldova). Caritas Czech Republic in partnership with the Centre for Mental Health Care Development from Praque has signed a cooperation agreement with the District Council of Glodeni and the Directorate of Social Assistance and Family Protection Glodeni. The space offered by the local public authorities of Glodeni will be repaired and equipped and will initially accommodate 4 people with mental health disorders from the region.
"This space can serve as a safe space for people with mental health problems or for those who are experiencing social difficulties and need urgent support,” says Vasile Vasiliev, Country Director at Caritas Czech Republic in Moldova.
The Supported Housing in Calarasi is an example of success
In order to develop a qualitative and efficient social service, Caritas Czech Republic visited the Supported Housing which has been operating since 2011 in Calarasi (Moldova).
”Supported Housing in Calarasi is a model home that offers people with mental disorder the opportunity to lead a normal and dignified life. The housing here is oriented towards independent living for its residents. We appreciate the openness of the local authorities in providing this social service and the desire to perpetuate and multiply this experience,” said Galina Bujor, Caritas Czech Republic project manager, following her visit to Calarasi.
"Creating and multiplying social services for people with mental health problems is a priority for the development of an inclusive society. The social service Supported Housing in Calarasi is a living example of success and ensures the right to independent living in the community for people with mental disorder,” said Elena Rusu, Head of the Social Assistance and Family Protection Directorate from Calarasi.
At the same time, during the meetings with local authorities, Caritas Czech Republic discussed the selection process of future residents and the specific activities they will need for living in the community.
The development of Supported Housing is part of the framework is part of the project Capacity Building for Ensuring Sustainable Change in the System of Social Services in the Republic of Moldova funded by the Czech Development Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.
