ΕΝGLISH

KINAPSI – Siblings of People with Mental Illness

The association KINAPSI (Siblings of People with Mental Illness) was founded in 2008 and is registered both in the National Register of Private Sector Non-Profit Entities providing social care services and the Special Register of Voluntary Non-Governmental Organizations. The association counts approximately 200 members from all over Greece and is governed by a five-member Board of Directors elected for a two-year mandate. KINAPSI is a member of the Panhellenic Federation of Associations of Families with Mental Health (POSOPSI), is actively involved in the European Federation of Associations of Families of People with Mental Illness (EUFAMI) and participates in other similar organizations.

The Association was created in response to the need to express the anxiety and situation of thousands of siblings of people with mental illness. It aims at building a better quality of life for those stricken with mental illness and their siblings. KINAPSI is assisted by a three-member Scientific Board, composed of two psychiatrists and one psychologist.

KINAPSI’s main objectives presented in brief:

Empower and educate siblings of people with mental illness.

Set up a common information and contact network for mental health service users, their siblings and their families. 

Provide social care and integration services to people with mental illness and their carers with the support of a network of mental health professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers).

Organize and operate support structures: Day Center, Sheltered Housing, Information and Advocacy Center.

Professional integration of people with mental illness through Limited Liability Social Cooperatives.

Organize cultural events to promote mental health and raise public awareness.

KINAPSI depends financially on the contributions of its members and friends, as well as private grants.

KINAPSI supports this vulnerable population group by providing the following free of cost services:

1) Monthly one-day information conferences on mental health.

2) Group therapies of siblings of people with mental illness.

3) Individual counseling therapies for carers.

4) Empowerment summer camp for all members.

5) Monthly entertainment – socialization program for people with mental illness and their carers (foreign language courses, attending various performances, coffee gatherings).

For further information on our activities, please visit our website www.kinapsi.gr.

Once per month open lectures in the mental health sector. With the collaboration of a Day Center (PEPSAEE) (which offers it's space) KINAPSI is organizing once per month open discussions with the participation of psychiatrists, psychologist, lawyers, art therapists etc

During September we organized a free 3 days holiday (including meals) with the collaboration of the city of Athens, in a camp by the sea. Members and their siblings had time to spend time together and have fun.

Once per month the association of siblings of people with mental health problems offers to it's members to have the experience of a cultural event. We encourage our members and their siblings, if this is possible to join museum guided tours, theatrical pieces, dance etc. In 2011 we visited the new Acropolis museum, two theaters, a planetarium (Eugenidio Foundation).

The association KINAPSI organizes a free of charge therapy group for siblings twice per month. This group was organized with the collaboration of another day center called ANELIXI. Every second Wednesday in Athens (Neos Cosmos) two psychologists offered sessions with psycho-education elements particularly for siblings of people with mental health problems.

KINAPSI is planning with the collaboration of mental health user's Association “Autoekprosopisi” and other organizations the creation of an Advocacy Center for mental health users and their families. For this project members of KINAPSI board had several meetings with the Minister of Health (Head of Mental Health Sector)

Members of the Board of KINAPSI visited 2 main big Psychiatric Hospitals in Athens (DAFNI and Dromokaitio) and had the opportunity to talk with their director, and scientific board. The discussion was for evaluation of their services and possibility for common projects. (the idea of an internet cafe inside the hospital).

A grant for 4 members to learn the English language in collaboration with the British Embassy in Athens.

Finally we organized several social events in order to share experiences since many siblings find it really hard to get involved in therapy and other educational activities.

Katerina Angeli receives the Europeran Best Practice Award from GAMIAN federation

All our monthly activities can be found in www.kinapsi.gr

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Annual Report 2011

KINAPSI – Athens Siblings

Annual Activity Report

Athens, 31 May 2012

1. 1.     Therapy - Psychoeducational groups for siblings

A group therapy for six (6) siblings of people with mental illness started on Wednesday, 21 March 2012, in cooperation with the non-profit civil company “Xenios Zeus”. The group will last until 20 June 2012 and is coordinated by psychologists, Ms. Aliki Drandaki and Mr. Yannis Chrysopoulos, who are currently employed in “Anelixi” Psychiatric Rehabilitation Day Centre. The group takes place in Neos Kosmos district and has no participation fee. It can be repeated upon demand.

1. 2.     A psychiatrist responds to questions posted on www.kinapsi.gr

Mr. Fotis Moroyannis, psychiatrist from Ioannina and member of KINAPSI scientific team, responds daily to questions raised by siblings of people with mental illness. Mr. Moroyannis provides this service on a voluntary basis to all interested individuals, regardless of whether they are members of our association or not.

1. 3.     Cooperation with the Society of Social Psychiatry and Mental Health (SSPMH)

The cooperation with the Society of Social Psychiatry and Mental Health (SSPMH) is an important step. SSPMH undertakes to become the “official scientific partner” of our association. In practice, they provide us with speakers during information talks, scientific support and access to sheltered housing (apartments and hostels) in Kallithea district.

1. 4.     Cooperation with Athens University – Faculty of Nursing

Following our visit to Zografou Center for Mental Health and our acquaintance with the scientific team – in particular, with Mr. Alevizopoulos - KINAPSI and “Aytoekprosopisi” association submitted a proposal to the Department of Mental Health with regard to the creation of a model advocacy center. The proposal received a “feasibility approval” by the Ministry of Health under document No. Υ5β/ΓΠ/28670, dated 14/5/2012.

1. 5.     Information afternoon sessions on mental health

For the fifth consecutive year, we are organizing meetings between mental health professionals and members of our association. These meetings take place one Tuesday per month, from 5-8pm, in a space (8, Alkamenous Street) provided by the Panhellenic Union for Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Work Integration (PHPRWI).

Here is a detailed list of information talks-discussions:

26.10.2011: One-day conference on sheltered housing with the participation of Ms. Georgakopoulou and Ms. Papadimitriou on behalf of the Society of Social Psychiatry and Mental Health  (which, systematically, provides us with speakers on various themes).

6.12.2011: One-day conference on philosophy with the participation of the mathematician, Mr. Polynikis Trigazis, and the psychiatrist – member of KINAPSI scientific team, Mr. Fotis Kouniakis.

10.1.2012: One-day conference on the participation of people housed in sheltered accommodation in cultural activities. Speakers: Ms. Eleni Lazaki, Ms. Alexandra Stroubou, Ms. Alexandra Pali. There was a parallel exhibition of paintings by residents of sheltered hostels.

14.2.2012: One-day conference on art therapy with the participation of the visual art therapist, Ms. Ariadni Kanavaki, and the psychiatrist, Mr. Fotis Kouniakis.

6.3.2012: One-day conference on personality disorders with the participation of psychologists, Ms. Christina Vagena and Ms. Theofania Pinirtzi. Interventions and questions from the audience.

10.4.2012: One-day conference on the new form of social entrepreneurship, namely Social Cooperatives (KOISPE), with the intervention of Mr. Menelaos Theodoroulakis and speakers from the social cooperative of SSPMH.

1. 6.     Visits to Structures & Networking Meetings

31.5.2011: Drapetsona Society of Psychosocial Studies. Discussion about the KOISPE, where KINAPSI is a member.

18.11.2011: Ministry of Health. Meeting with Mr. Mniestris.

1.12.2011: Activities presentation and acquaintance with the team of Iris Day Centre in Agia Paraskeyi.

7.12.2011: Ministry of Health. Discussion with “Aytoekprosopisi” association.

23.12.2011: Christmas Celebrations at the Day Centre of the Panhellenic Union for Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Work Integration.

31.1.2012: Dromokaiteio Psychiatric Hospital. Meeting with the President, Mr. Nikolaos Tsikis, and the scientific board.

23.2.2012: Zografou Municipal Center for Mental Health. Meeting with Mr. Alevizopoulos’ scientific team. Lunch at Ilisia district with the staff and members of the Day Centre. Coordinators: Ms. Katerina Aggeli and Ms. Despoina Dimara.

8.3.2012: KOISPE Klimax Plus. Lunch at the restaurant of the social cooperative with Mr. Katsadoros. Coordinator: Alexandros Litsakis.

12.3.2012: Chalandri Municipal Social Service. The Municipality of Chalandri is henceforth responsible for the annual validation of KINAPSI fees and charges booklet.

13.3.2012: Protest outside the Ministry of Health in support of the “coalition for psychiatric reform”. Coordinator: Ms. Christina Koutaliagka.

15.3.2012: Discussion with a psychologist from Klimaka NGO about potential new groups or individual therapy.

26.3.2012: Ministry of Health.

10.4.2012: Municipality of Athens. Mayor’s Office. Director of Mayor’s Office.

3.5.2012: Attica Psychiatric Hospital. Meeting with the President of the Scientific Board, Mr. Panetas, and the Assistant Commissioner. In favour of our proposals (Ms. Akylina Despoti, Mr. Spyros Zorbas).

4.5.2012. Agioi Anargyroi Hospital. Outpatient Clinic. Leaflet distribution. Discussion with psychiatrists, Mr. Trelopoulos and Ms. Chatzouli.

1. 7.     Entertainment / Cultural Events for members-siblings

May 2011: 3-day trip to Kalavryta. Accommodation at the Camp of the National Youth Foundation. Visit to a wine factory and other popular area sightseeing destinations.

September 2011: 3-day holiday at the Athens Municipal camp in Agios Andreas. Visit to Attica Zoological Park by bus. 

KINAPSI “Vasilopita Cutting” (Vasilopita = New Year’s Cake): 1.2.2012 (8, Alkamenous Street). Vasilopita was offered by Delatolas Bakery.

Coffee gathering at “Parko Eleftherias”: 11.5.2011, 25.5.2011, 22.6.2011, 27.7.2011, 10.5.2012.

Other gatherings: 7.7.2011 (“Skippers”), 18.8.2011 (“Indian Masala”), 9.11.2011 (French Institute’s coffee room), 17.11.2011 (at Peristeri district), 10.2.2012 (coffee at Pagkrati district).

Cultural Events:

14.12.2011: Show at Eugenides Foundation’s Planetarium (free entrance).

13.1.2012: Guided visit to Acropolis Museum by Ms. Anastasia Papa (free entrance).

2.3.2012: Ballet at the National Opera (free entrance).

25.4.2012: Projection at the Foundation of the Hellenic World (free entrance).

1. 8.     Presence at Events/Conferences:

19.5.2011: KINAPSI was present at APPAC Conference organized by the psychiatrist, Mr. Kouros, at Athens Hilton Hotel.

22-25.9.2011: Participation in conference. KINAPSI was awarded by GAMIAN, the Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy Networks. Ms. Katerina Aggeli participated in the Brussels conference.

23-25.9.2011: Participation in EUFAMI’s Congress in Basel, Switzerland. Mr. Spyros Zorbas was elected to the Executive Committee. EUFAMI is a European Federation of Associations of Families of People with Mental Illness, which counts members from 40 countries.

3.10.2011: Participation in the 2nd Mental Health Festival of Athens Northern Suburbs.

12.10.2011: Participation in a Conference on Mental Health Service Users, in Gkazi.

16-19.11.2011: Mr. Vasilis Perivolaris participated in the 3rd Panhellenic Training Seminar for mental health service users, in Serres.

23.11.2011: Participation in a one-day conference in Athens University.

12.1.2012: Participation in the discussions about “Psychargo” mental health reform. Important event at the Ministry of Health.

6.4.2012: Ms. Katerina Aggeli participated in POSOPSI (Panhellenic Federation of Associations of Families with Mental Health) Conference, which addressed the assessment of works and the election of a new Board of Directors – 236, Eleftheriou Venizelou Ave., Ilioupoli.

6-7.4.2012: KINAPSI participated in the scientific meeting of the Hellenic Psychiatric Association and the medical society, with the intervention of Mr. Fotis Moroyannis, who talked in detail about his voluntary cooperation with our association.

1. 9.     Last Farewell to the Vice-President of KINAPSI, Mr. Matthaios Darmis

6.10.2011: Last Farewell to Matthaios Darmis, who left us too soon. Mr. Alexandros Litsakis is the new Vice-President.

1. 10.                        KINAPSI weekly radio program on Internet

Weekly program on “Klimax plus” internet radio station, every Monday from 4-5pm. Any member interested in participating, is asked to contact our association.

1. 11.                        Partnership with the Society of Psychosocial Studies, the Panhellenic Union for Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Work Integration, and two Municipalities

1.3.2012: Participation in Development Consortia with the Society of Psychosocial Studies, the Panhellenic Union for Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Work Integration, the Municipality of Salamina and the Municipality of Perama, on the basis of article 18, Law No. 4019/2011, regarding the submission of proposal for the implementation of local action plans for the social integration of vulnerable groups. The partnership proposal was not accepted, as it failed to meet certain requirements.

1. 12.                        Free English lessons to KINAPSI members

During the first quarter of the academic year 2011-2012, Ms. Maria Vamvakousi, Ms. Katerina Aggeli and Ms. Dafni Marouli attended English learning courses at the British Council of Athens.

Ms. Maria Vamvakousi continued her studies during the second quarter of the same academic year. Ms. Lillian Charitaki Asimou started taking lessons, but then quit.

1. 13.                        Application dossier submitted to the Region of Attica

The application concerns a special certification granted by the Region of Attica to bodies providing social care services; 16.9.2011. (the answer is still pending)

1. 14.                        Application dossier submitted to the Managing Authority of the Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity

The application concerns the examination of a managing certificate type B and C during the transitional period 2007-2013 (28.6.2011). An inspection was carried out at KINAPSI premises on 20 April 2012 (19, Naxou Street) and a revised application dossier was submitted on 26 April 2012. (the answer is still pending)

1. 15.                        Application dossier submitted to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare

The application concerns the registration of KINAPSI in the Special Register of other Social Economy Bodies on 24.4.2012. (the answer is still pending)