“SOMATO” and “DANKO”, summing up results
Association SOMATO from Balti issued public activity report for 2009 . According to this report in the period of 2009 there were implemented projects which cost amounted to 3.7 million MDL. These funds were generously offered by the international donors to support people with mental health problems.
The most ambitious and expensive project suggested development and testing for the first time in the Republic of Moldova sheltered housing for people with mental health problems. This program is supported by European Union Delegation in Moldova and will finish in 2012.
Other three important programs implemented by the Association SOMATO in 2009 were funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation from Moldova. Another project which allowed extension of social services for disabled people was supported by the “Keystone Human Resources Moldova”.
It is necessary to mention that during the last year Association SOMATO contributed to the equipment and furniture of the two Centers from Balti, which activity is focused on social and medical rehabilitation of people with mental health problems. They are: Ergosocial Center “Socium” and Center “DANKO” which deliver services to mentally-ill children.
In 2009 Association SOMATO organized numerous activities through which it promoted social inclusion and elimination of stigma related to mental ill health. For this purpose Association SOMATO organized communication and awareness-raising campaigns, the most important of them being “Mental Health Week” (October 5-10) organized on the national level. Such event took place for the first time in the Republic of Moldova. During the previous year SOMATO continued publishing promotional and informational materials, including newspaper “Advocacy in Mental Health”.
Association SOMATO numbers 36 members and works in mental health services beginning with February 1999.
Center for Mental Health SOMATO from Balti
More than 6 thousand consultations were offered in 2009 by psychiatrists and psychologists from the Center for Mental Health SOMATO, Balti to people with mental health problems. Those were 34 beneficiaries from the Center and people from the community who addressed for consultations.
This is only one of the balances presented in the activity report of the Center for Mental Health issued by the institution.
The Center comprises day service which of which 146 beneficiaries benefited of. In average, Center SOMATO delivered services to around 22 people per day. Center SOMATO offered temporary placement services (24 hours services) for 12 beneficiaries.
During the previous year Center SOMATO organized 260 occupational therapy activities for the beneficiaries. They were involved in different socio-cultural activities, including excursions and viewing performances.
34 beneficiaries from the Center participated at the activities dedicated to Mental Health Week.
For the Center personnel and its beneficiaries there were organized numerous workshops and trainings.
In 2009 Center for Mental Health SOMATO, Balti participated at the implementation of the two projects supported by the international donors: “Support of Reform of Mental Health” (supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Moldova” and Program for Development and Testing of Sheltered Housing for people with mental health problems, supported by the European Union Delegation in Moldova.
Center for Mental Health SOMATO began its activity in 2000 and was founded by the Association SOMATO. At the end of 2004 the Center received the status of public institution and from that moment is funded by the local authorities.
Center DANKO
In 2009 Center for children and teenagers with severe disabilities “Danko” from Balti delivered services to 29 children and teenagers and to their families.
In compliance with the activity report for 2009 center DANKO focused its activity on the basis of the three programs: medico-psycho-social rehabilitation; deinstitutionalizing and social inclusion; support of physiological integrity.
Psychiatrists and psychologists from the Center delivered consultations and counseling to direct and indirect beneficiaries – relatives and families of the patients. The beneficiaries were instructed and involved in occupational therapy and rehabilitation activities.
Center DANKO got involved in implementation of the two programs supported by international donors “Support of Reform of Mental Health” (supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Moldova) and Program for Development and Testing of Sheltered Houses for people with mental health problems (supported by the European Union Delegation in Moldova). Due to these projects it was possible to supply the Center and procure equipment for psycho-social rehabilitation of the beneficiaries.
Center personnel benefited of instruction during workshops and trainings organized in the institution and beyond it.
Center DANKO was launched with support of the Association SOMATO and financial support of the Swiss and Republic of Moldova Governments and with technical assistance of the Social Investment Fund Moldova. Official opening of the institution took place on October 6, within “Mental Health Week”.