Population: 22.4 million (Source: World Bank 2000)
Hamlet Trust has been working in Romania since 1995, and we currently have links with six organisations. Orizonturi are hosts to the Local Policy Co-ordinator as part of the Pathways to Policy programme, while LRSM and Aripi organised the Hamlet Regional Workshop 2003 in October, at which representatives of all Hamlet Network Member Organisations were represented.
Since January 2003 Orizonturi has also hosted the Local Policy Co-ordinator as part of the Pathways to Policy programme. A National Policy Forum has since been launched which involves mental health stakeholders from across the country.
STOP PRESS: Aripi is launching an advocacy project in hospitals in 2005 aimed at protecting patients' human rights, with the projects run by ex-service users trained as advocates. Further updates coming soon.
Armonia
Main contact: Tiberiu Ormos
Address: Str. Iuliu Manic nr.38
1900 Timisoara
Romania
Tel/fax: +40 562 18091
Email: asarmonia@yahoo.com
Armonia Association works with people with mental health problems by developing psycho-social rehabilitation projects and offering complementary services to the statutory state mental health services. The Association aims to help its members in activities including:
- Occupational therapy and ergo therapy
- Social services (over 250 assessments carried out in 2002 on behalf of the local authorities)
- Recreational programmes (cultural trips organised for over 36 members)
- Humanitarian aid (food, clothes and furniture provided for over 300 members)
- Socio-professional and vocational reintegration
A project funded by Hamlet Trust in 2002 has enabled the setting up of 4 groups of people (users and ex-users) to learn skills in the fields of art, computers, DIY and gardening, with approximately 25 users benefiting. With support from professional at the Armonia Psychosocial Centre, the selected group leaders have gained valuable managerial experience, while users have been empowered by the acquisition of practical skills, helping to bolster self-respect and ultimately improve their mental health.
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Aripi Association
Chair person: Stefan Bandol
Vice-president: Cristian Ion Cretu
Secretary: Magdalena Chirica
Treasurer: Valerica Sima
Address: Str. Lt. Gheorghe Negel nr 1-3
sector 6
Bucharest
Romania
Tel: +4021 (746) 6880
Fax: +4021 (411) 0885
Email: aripi.office@k.ro
ARIPI, an association formed in 2002, aims to fight against the stigma that affects people with mental health problems. One of the association's main objectives is to promote the full reintegration into the community of users and ex-users of mental health services. Other activities include:
- Respecting human and special rights of people with mental health problems through advocacy and lobby initiatives
- Creating partnerships with mental health professionals, local authorities, and NGOs for developing community services and alternatives to traditional mental health care
- Developing self-help groups and user initiatives throughout Romania in order to improve the quality of life of persons with mental health problems
Aripi's initial projects have included:
- August 2002 "Another point of view" - paper presented by Ionut Moraru, an ex-user, at the World Psychiatry Congress, Yokohama, Japan
- August 2002-present - self-help group organized by the association's members at the TREPTE Psychosocial Center, Bucharest
- Nov 2002, "Exploring normality" - a conference for Psychology students at the "Babes Bolyai" University of Cluj presented by an ex-user
- Dec 2002, co-organizer of the "International Day of Solidarity for People with Handicaps" exhibition, Bucharest
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Cluj Estuar
Address: Str.Paris
Nr.35
Cluj-Napoca
Romania
Tel/fax: +40 064 432 291
Email: estuar_cluj@yahoo.com
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Liga Romana Pentru Sanatate Mintala (LRSM) –
Romanian League for Mental Health
Leader of Organization: Raluca Nica, Executive Director
Board members:
Dr Bogdana Tudorache, President - psychiatrist
Dr Radu Teoforescu, Vice-President - psychiatrist
Dr Radu Mihailescu - psychiatrist
Dr Irina Dan - psychiatrist
Daniela Vasile - journalist
Rocsana Iordache - art teacher
Ilieana Boeru - foreign language professor
Adina Popescu - actress
Anca Florea - musicologist
Address: SOS. MIHAI BRAVU NR. 90-96, BL. D17, SC. 4, AP. 149
SECTOR 2, BUCHAREST, ROMANIA
Tel: +4021 252 60 11, +4021 252 08 66
Fax: +4021 252 08 66
Email: lrsm@dnt.ro,
Website: www.lrsm.ro
LRSM's mission is to become an influential membership-based organisation influencing government policy and promoting alternatives in mental health area in Romania.
The main programs currently developed by LRSM are:
- An educational campaign against stigma and discrimination for teenagers, including the creation and dissemination of materials on mental health issues and a mass media campaign
- The "Pilot Centre for Medical and Psychological Support, Steps" that addresses adults with mental health problems
- The "Information and Documentation Point", a centre for mental health professionals.
- The League also organizes workshops for NGOs working in the mental health field and a series of conferences and seminars designed to promote education in the mental health field.
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"Orizonturi" Foundation
Leader of Organisation: Petronela Paziuc
Director Committee:
Petronela Paziuc - President
Alexandru Paziuc - Vice-President
Aurora Rusu Samson - Vice-President
Viorel Ieremciuc - Member
Lelia Radulescu - Member
Executive Commitee:
Gabriela Tanasan - Executive Director
Mihaela Tanasan - Administrator
Areta Latis - Accountant
Address: Str. Trandafirilor, Nr. 2
Câmpulung Moldovenesc - 5950
Romania
Tel: +40 230 312 595
Tel/Fax: +40 230 314 512
Email: ongorizonturi@artelecom.net
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Pottery from the Orizonturi workshop
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The "Orizonturi" Foundation, formed in 1995, is a charity organisation with a non-governmental, apolitical and spiritual character that works for the benefit of users, ex-users, and the survivors of psychiatry services.
Our mission is to support users of mental health services to regain their self confidence, to acquire abilities and skills that allow them to live an independent life, and to educate the community in order to increase the understanding and acceptance of people with mental health problems. We also inform and educate people with mental health problems regarding mental health issues, and develop permanent occupational/work therapy activities for them.
Past and current work of the organisation
- The publication since 1995 of "A FI - TO BE", the first quarterly magazine in Romania to be entirely realised by users.
- The setting up of workshops for occupational/work therapy (traditional sewing, knitting, carpets, icon paintings, pottery, painting).
- The organisation of weekly meetings (activities include the literary circle "Floarea de Colt"; the discussion of current social problems and personal difficulties; meetings with people using psychiatric services for the first time; and meetings with carers of people with mental health problems - relatives or friends).
- Club activities with monthly celebration of each person's birthday, parties on special occasions and trips.
- The exchange of experience with Romanian and foreign NGOs working in the mental health field.
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RESO Foundation, Bucharest
Leader of Organisation: Silvia Mihu
Administration Council:
Cristina Manescu - Users' Committee representative, worker
Sanda Fetecau - Users' Committee representative, worker
Tudor Vlasceanu - Parents' Committee representative, pensioner
Eugenia Ciutacu - Parents' Committee representative, pensioner
Aileen Braid - social worker, Scotland, SAFEE chairperson
Eugenia Costachi - bank accountant, financial advisor
Doina Stoia - RESO executive director
Address: Sos. Bergen, no. 49, Bl. 128, Sc. 2, Ap. 39, Sector 4, Bucharest, Romania
for correspondence: PO box: 8 – 54 Bucharest, Romania
Tel: +40 - 21- 636 43 66 / +40 722 28 32 36
Fax: +40 - 21- 636 43 66
Email: resohope@hades.ro
Founded in 1996 by parents of people with mental health problems and mental disabilities, RESO Foundation is developing a social structure providing ordinary life and equal opportunities for its services users. Our mission is the social reintegration into the community of adults with mental disabilities, exercising the rights guaranteed to any human being for living an ordinary life.
RESO Foundation is running the following projects:
A supported flat for adults with mental disabilities
A community day centre for adults with mental health problems and their families
A rural house and farm for youngsters with mental health problems evicted from orphanages because of age limits
Moral and material support for users and their families
We are currently running a supported workshop project with financial support from Hamlet Trust. Users and their families are very happy to develop this activity, generating income for both users and RESO Foundation. The project is a success and we have already doubled the number of workers and the volunteers involved in the project. The press campaign was of great help and we are trying to maintain the good image and promotion made in the community. We are open to any initiatives coming from similar organizations in order to develop and improve our services.
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