Georgia

Population 5.5 million (Source: World Bank 2000) Hamlet Trust has been working in Georgia since 1999, and we currently have links with two organisations: Sakartvelos Psiqikuri Janmrtelobis Asotsiatsia (GAMH, Georgian Association for Mental Health), Tbilisi Sakartvelos Uzerta Da Eqs-Uzerta Kavshiri (Union of Users and Ex-Users of Georgia), Tbilisi       Sakartvelos Psiqikuri Janmrtelobis Asotsiatsia (GAMH, Georgian Association for Mental Health) Leader of Organisation: Manana Sharashidze Managing board George Berulava - Psychiatrist, Relative Archil Begiashvili - Psychiatrist Marine Kuratashvili - Psychiatrist Besarion Sulaberidze - Project Manager Maia Khundadze - Psychiatrist Advisory Board Vazha Kenchadze, Ekaterina Chkonia, Veta Lazarashvili, George Naneishvili, Simon Surguladze, Dodo Duduchava, Lali Bandzeladze, Manana Bokuchava, Ketevan Gigolashvili, Marina Vardimiadi Address: 10 Asatiani str, Tbilisi-380077, Georgia Tel: +995 (32) 30-90-97 / +995 (32) 39-78-44 Fax: +995 (32) 30-90-97 Email: mental_advocacy@gamh.org.ge Georgian Association for Mental Health was founded in 1991 by professionals, users of mental health services and their relatives. The aim of GAMH is to develop mental health and social services in Georgia and to reduce the discrimination and social exclusion associated with mental health problems. Current projects include: Psycho-social Rehabilitation Centre, which helps users integrate into the community through psychotherapy, art therapy, ergotherapy, and training in social and independent living skills. Advocacy Project, where ex-users provide advocacy for the hospital patients, leading to medical staff and relatives treating users with more respect and raise awareness of human rights. Training for trainers at the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Centre. Publication of books and leaflets on mental health problems to raise awareness and reduce stigma. Georgia Country Profile, which aims to improve mental health care policy. Promoting the establishment of self-help groups for users in two regions Users' activities, including art exhibitions, concerts, plays and sports events. With the help of Hamlet Trust, GAMH promoted the establishment of the Users' and Ex-users' Union of Georgia, a successfully functioning, legally independent NGO. Back to top Sakartvelos Uzerta Da Eqs-Uzerta Kavshiri (Union of Users and Ex-Users of Georgia) Leaders of Organisation: Zaal Kakhniashvili and Zakaria Geladze (co-chairs) Board members: Zaal Kakhniashvili, Zakaria Geladze, Mzevinar Noniashvili, Levan Paatashvili, Niko Nikoladze, Mariam Geslaidze. Address: 149, Nutsubidze str. 380086 Tbilisi, Georgia Tel: +995 32 32 90 21 Fax: +995 32 30 90 97 E-mail: users@gol.ge The Users' and Ex-users' Union of Georgia is the first and so far only independent users' organisation in Georgia. The Union was established during the course of the Users' Self-help Group project of the Georgian Association for Mental Health, and it was officially registered in September 2001. Since January 2002, the Union has been implementing the Users Club project in Tbilisi with the financial support of Hamlet Trust. 62 persons with a diagnosis of mental illness are involved in the project. Georgia has been beset by a series of crises in recent years, including military coup, civil war, ethnic conflicts, economic disaster and currency devaluation. With the government itself dogged by corrupt and criminal elements, the general population has been left with little state care. For socially vulnerable groups life is especially hard, and they rely greatly on the kindness of individuals. Our organisation considers that persons with mental health problems can do virtually everything other people are capable of, and our efforts are thus mainly directed in two directions: on the one hand, more activity and employment of users; and on the other hand, changing social opinion. Our plans for the coming months include the implementation of a users' employment project. Back to top