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FIRST PROJECT
Title: Community Mental Health Rehabilitation
(October 1997 - October 1999)
Project Purpose
The joint Russian-Canadian Project "Community Mental
Health Rehabilitation" was designed to assist with mental
health care reform in Russia. The purpose of this project was
to develop capacity in Russia for the training of mental health
personnel knowledgeable in community-based care and rehabilitation
of people with mental disorders.
Project Objectives
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The immediate objective was to prepare a
cohort of up to 20 individuals currently in the mental health
system to become trainers of future community rehabilitation
personnel. |
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A long-term objective was to develop an
overall professional training program for mental health
rehabilitation professionals at two levels, corresponding
to Bachelors and Masters degrees, and post-professional
degree diplomas. |
Work Completed
The Project began in October 1997, with all activities completed
by October 1999. All objectives of this Project were achieved
or exceeded, with anticipated outputs more than met. An external
review of the UCGF activities in Russia determined this project
as one of the most successful ones funded through the UCGF.
A "training-the-trainer" approach was used with a "Community
of Learners" (COL). The project began with the modest expectation
of training up to 20 mental health personnel in community mental
health rehabilitation concepts, and developing curricula which
could be used to train both front-line personnel to fill social
work positions in the mental health system. The results exceeded
all expectations in several ways.
First, the level of interest was such that we expanded
the cohort to a total of 48 psychiatrists, psychologists and social
workers who received the training. About half were from Moscow,
and the remainder from 8 other centres in western Russia (Tver,
Ryazan, Tambov, Smolensk, Vladimir, Tula, Yekaterinburg, and Pervouralsk
of Sverdlovsk region). Most held mid- to senior-level positions
in their home mental health facilities.
Second, a curriculum in community mental health was developed
for post-degree education of graduates from social work faculties
in preparation for vacant entry-level positions in the mental
health system. Such training will be implemented by the Moscow
Research Institute of Psychiatry.
Third, materials on policy changes in mental health practice
were developed for, and approved by, Russia's Ministry of Public
Health for implementation throughout the Federation.
Finally, the beginnings of a parent support organization emerged
from the activities undertaken.
More pictures from workshops with
Russian professionals.
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