|
|
|
The
justification of the participation on D&H-5Projects by S.A.D. |
|
Within the Czech Republic, during the days of communism,
access to medical care and care for people with mental
illnesses was available with short waiting times. Also, if it
was felt necessary, people who had perceived mental illnesses
could be taken for mental assessment against their free will.
Since the fall of communism,
this has no longer been the case. Access to mental healthcare
is not easily accessible and, unless the life of the patient
is in danger or they are perceived to be a danger to other
citizens, the patient cannot be admitted for treatment against
their will.
This has lead to a growing
population of people who do not consider themselves to be
suffering from a mental illness living within the community.
They will not attend outpatient clinics that would give them
the necessary support and, in many cases, they find they
cannot cope with the demands of daily living, thus finding
themselves in a homeless situation.
Once this situation arises,
access to medical care of any sort is very difficult. They may
not have a current medical insurance leaving doctors reluctant
to treat them, other than for life threatening illnesses.
Also, access to psychiatric help can only be through the
referral of their general practitioner, who is reluctant to
make this referral.
In the end, mentally ill
homeless have no access and no motivation to receive treatment
they require.
|
|
List of
target groups and participants in the event, of direct and
indirect beneficiaries |
-
Members of
Sdružena Azylových Domů (96)
-
Naděje
(National Homeless Service Provider)
-
Ministry of
Labour and Social Affairs
-
Ministry of
Health, Nový Prostor (Homeless Street
-
Newspaper -
Práh (NGO providing services for the mentally ill
Brno)
|
|
Reasons
for the selection of the target groups and participants in the
event and activities |
|
The majority of homeless
service provision in the Czech Republic comes from the NGO
sector. However, the majority of support for these services in
financial terms comes from the government. Yet, the problem is
growing and the resources are falling. While the application
process for this funding is more thorough, it does mean that
many NGO’s providing support are losing government support.
By bringing this issue to
the public attention, it will hi-light the work already being
carried out by under-funded services and how this support can
be carried through in every day working with the clients.
Due to the dual discipline
of Social and Health Ministries, NGO project working with the
homeless may seek funding as a social organisation or as a
medical organisation. Therefore, the medical care of mentally
ill is often given by state hospitals, excluding the services
to homeless due to lack of medical insurance and motivation as
described in your comments.
|
|
Relevance of the project to the target groups or participants
in the event |
|
For the NGO’s, there
will be a greater awareness of the rights and possibilities
for clients suffering with mental illnesses. Also, by bringing
the focus of attention on homeless mentally ill, the
Governmental departments will be able to see the size of the
problem and prepare community plans that can support these
people in a more practical way. Also the issue of access to
these services for the disadvantaged can be brought into the
public awareness.
|
|
Relevance
of the project to the objectives of the programme |
|
The organisations listed in the
target groups
are a cross reference of NGO and Governmental Departments
responsible for or affected by the current situation of mental
health care. One of the direct benefits of this project is the
communication between NGO and Governmental Departments in
seeking to find a way to support the mentally ill homeless in
our society.
|
|
Relevance
of the project to the priorities of the programme |
|
The free market has also
focused on the productivity of employees. Many people
suffering from a mental illness would not cope in the
competitive market, but would cope with an employment that
requires less mental flexibility. Yet they do not get a
chance.
Unemployment is another cause of defaulting on rent payment –
thus resulting in homelessness.
|
|
A
preliminary list of speakers & participants |
-
MUDr.
Chvíla – Psychiatrist dealing with Addictions working
closely with Armáda spásy and Teen Challenge
-
Ing.
Műrellová – Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
-
Representative from Práh (NGO providing services for
mentally ill – Brno)
-
Members
of Sdružena Azylových Domů (96)
-
Naděje
(National Homeless Service Provider)
-
Ministry
of Labour and Social Affairs
-
Ministry
of Health Nový
Prostor (Homeless Street Newspaper)
-
Práh (NGO
providing services for the mentally ill Brno)
|
|
Level of
involvement-activity of other organisations, partners or
others, in the project |
|
Provision of information relevant to the history and current
situation of health support for mentally ill homeless people
within the Czech Republic.
Assistance in the preparation of the conference in Prague:
June ‘04
Collating and presenting of information relevant to the
situation within the Czech Republic.
|
