Renewing our approach to psychiatry was the theme of the 10th International Conference of Visegrad Platform of Eurodiaconia (Central and Eastern regional platform of Eurodiaconia). Attendees discussed how diaconal organisations and European institutions can help people with mental health disorders integrate into society.
The Conference, coordinated by Polish Diaconia, was held from 23 to 25 September in the Lutheran parish of Krakow. The meeting was attended by representatives of Eurodiaconia member organisations from Visegrad countries: Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. Representatives of diaconal institutions from Germany and the Secretary General of Eurodiaconia, Mrs Heather Roy, also joined this outstanding event. The Conference was financially supported by Diakonia Württemberg, Diakonia Berlin – Brandenburg – Silesian Oberlausitz and Eurodiaconia, through European Union funds.
“By raising this topic, we want to show that people with mental health disorder need public acceptance, that diversity is part of our human existence and that there is not a single model of human being. Moreover, public authorities should provide support services to enable mentally ill people to be a normal part of the society” Director of Polish Diaconia, Mrs. Wanda Falk, said at the conference opening.
The first lecture on “New ways of psychiatry in Germany” was presented by Professor Jürgen Armbruster, a social science teacher responsible for the development of social psychiatry at the Evangelische Gesellschaft in Stuttgart. He traced the historical development of psychiatry in Germany, pointing the transition phase between psychiatry oriented to help the institution and psychiatry aimed at supporting the members of the community. He referred to different methods of social psychiatry: counselling, social support, medical care and psychiatric promotion of self-help.
The next speaker was Rev. Dr. Roman Pracki, a pastor in charge of the Lutheran Parish in Krakow and psychotherapist. In his presentation, he compared the insights of pastors and psychotherapists in the field of education and working skills, customer relationship, pastoral care and psychotherapy process, place and purpose of actions taken, professional secrecy, supervision, paradigm and moral judgment. “Both pastors and psychotherapists are very dogmatic, attached to their religion or methods” he said. He pointed out that psychotherapists, in contrast to pastors, do not morally judge their clients. “Every behaviour style can be an area of interest and work”, psychotherapy Rev. Pracki explained. He also stressed that the essence of pastoral care is the relationship, in contrary to psychotherapeutic work which is aimed at making changes.
Anna Bielańska, clinical psychologist, psychotherapist and supervisor presented a paper entitled “Perspectives of Psychiatry in Krakow – theoretical and practical application”. She recalled such personalities as Anthony Kępiński, founder of humanistic psychiatry, and Maria Norwid, promoting a systemic approach to family therapy. She shared her experiences in the field of community-based mental health services, which has been active in Krakow for over 35 years. “This concept sees illness and relief through the real life stories of our patients and the wider societal context. Our goal is to organise a form of assistance that is accessible to all members of the local community,” she explained. Mrs Bielańska added that this method is a combination of medical and social models.
Participants were also given the possibility to discuss several issues in three working groups. The first group reflected on how diaconal organisations from the Visegrad Group may be more involved in mentally health care systems. They pointed out such questions as the need for cooperation between the diaconal institutions of the Visegrad countries (including the exchange of experiences and creation of an Internet platform enabling the flow of information), development of documents to improve legislation for mentally ill people, organisation of meetings on mental illness etc.
The second group discussed which political changes are needed to better integrate mentally ill people into society. They underlined the need for institutional changes and legal provisions enabling social integration. They called for further information exchange between different ministries, for Public Relations in order to raise public awareness, and on politicians to meet people affected by mental health disorder.
The third group wondered what initiatives at EU level are needed to normalise the lives of people with mental health disorders. Participants emphasised the need for cooperation between Eastern and Western Europe, campaigns to stop stereotypes about mentally ill people such as their supposed inability to work, cooperation between social services and health care providers. “Eurodiaconia can help improve the communication between its member organisations in this area. We can also support them in the development of different projects” said Heather Roy.
The conference was moderated by Wanda Falk. As she was summing up the lectures and discussions that took place during the day, she recalled that Polish Diaconia had already organised seminars on mental health disorders. “It still is a topic that needs to be developed, particularly in outpatient care” she added.
On the last day of the conference, participants had the opportunity to see two centres in Krakow: “U Pana Cogito” guesthouse, which employs 24 mentally ill people, and a therapeutic centre for children and families called “U Siemachy”.
The next Visegrade Conference will be held in 2017 in Budapest, Hungary and will be coordinated by the Hungarian Diaconia.