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The overall objective of the project to promote tolerance and non-discriminatory attitudes towards mental ill health in society, media and policy-makers.  

Internationally there is the strong recognition of damaging association between MH problems and social marginalization, exclusions, discrimination, unemployment, homelessness, etc.
In Georgia the recent study estimated a strong link between mental ill health, social exclusion  and poverty The findings of the Public Monitoring Council on Closed Psychiatric Institutions (at PDO) highlight the gross violations of all basic rights of inpatients in closed psychiatric hospitals and of people with mental intellectual disabilities institutionalized in social care houses, also child disability institutions. Women and children appear to be the especially vulnerable and highly stigmatized group. This continued marginalization against persons with mental disorders highlights the need to change public attitude, media approach and promote new policies.

Main activities:

• Development of guidelines on non-discriminatory reporting;  
• Development of training module for journalists;     
• Trainings of student journalists;  
• Trainings of journalists;
• Contest "10 best media products on MH";  
• Monitoring of media coverage 

• To sensitize public about stigma of MH via extensive anti-stigma campaign via Media: Radio "MH weeks" Creating and broadcasting a public service announcement (PSA)
• To contribute to awareness raising and understanding of hidden strengths and value of PMHP of local communities: Public actions – exhibitions;"Bus" campaign;  Painting of a Wall
• Capacity building: seminars for PDO civic education centres and lectures for local community representatives (youth, parents, pedagogues);
• Movie-shows and followed discussions for  local communities in  universities and high schools
• Publication and dissemination of the brochure "Accept the "Different": Fight the Discrimination of Mental Ill Health"

• Assessment of legislation, identification and analyzing of available policy options,  drafting and publishing a report,
• Focus group discussions with policy-makers and HR experts and elaboration of discussion paper,
• Debates/Round-tables,
• Conference – delivering of persuasive policy recommendations.

To conclude, in a result of project implementation more ethic, conscientious, positive and less xenophobic, stereotyping and discriminative media will be developed in Georgia especially reporting and portrayal mental health problems; new attitudes, information, methods based on good practice brought from international experience will be promoted in Georgia for journalists and all the stakeholders; will be formed more acceptance and tolerant attitude towards MH problems and PMHP among general public which will increase awareness and understanding of MH in Georgian society, which will increase mental well being and contribute to forming of democratic, human rights values based society in Georgia.

The information given above is the sole responsibility of Global Initiative on Psychiatry and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.

For more information about European Commission projects see:
ec.europa.eu/europeaid/index_en.htm