„Mental Health Week” in Moldova

„Mental Health Week in the Republic of Moldova” is organized for the first time by the Association SOMATO (Balti) and Association ARMONIE (Chisinau) with the financial support of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation within the project “Support of Mental Health Reform in the Republic of Moldova (Occupational Therapy, Phase II)” 

„Mental Health Week” will take on October 5-10, within International Mental Health Day, which is celebrated worldwide on October 10.
During this week there will be conducted anti-stigma media campaign with the slogan “Let’s offer a chance for everybody”.

The following activities are planned:

•    „Mental Health Week” will be launched on October 5 during a press conference at Infotag Agency, Chisinau; 

•    On October 5, within the program “Obiectiv Europa” („TV 7 / NTV”) there will be broadcasted a reportage about Association SOMATO activity regarding implementation of the project with the goal to offer “sheltered flats” people with mental health problems; 

•    October 6. Official opening of the Day Center for people and teenagers with severe mixed disabilities “Danco”, Balti. Also on this day Center “Danco” and Center “SOMATO” will organize “Open Door Day” event; 

•    Spreading electronic news „SOMATO-info”, which will contain news and informational materials regarding mental health. The news will be sent to journalists and specialist working in the field of mental health; 

•    During the campaign, on „Radio Moldova”, Radio „Noroc”, TV „Moldova 1” and „PRO TV Chisinau” there will broadcasted radio and TV spots with anti-stigma message; 

•    The campaign will be promoted on Internet by means of web resources of DECA-press agency (www.deca.md), service www.comunicate.md, web page www.somato.md and portal www.civic.md.

•    The will be organized a festival „For you!”, which supposes organization of the concert for the beneficiaries of mental health services from Moldova with the participation of professional and amateur actors from the Republic of Moldova. There will also be organized an exhibition of works executed by the beneficiaries of mental health services from psychiatric hospitals, specialized schools and asylums and psycho-neurological asylums: 
1.    A concert with the slogan „Creation to support people with mental health problems” which will take place on October 7, at 12:00 in the premises of Feroviarilor Palace, Chisinau (bld. Decebal 2). 
2.    Exhibition of works „Harmony and Creation” realized by the beneficiaries of mental health services. The best works will be awarded with diplomas and awards, while the best three institutions will be awarded with presents; 

•    On October 16 there will broadcasted a talk-show „Good Evening” (moderator: journalist Mircea Surdu), TV „Moldova 1”, within which there will be discussed problems dealing with mental health services.