Verkkari-project

The project Verkkari is an own project of mental health associations in the region of North Karelia and its fringes. Its idea is to support the voluntary mental health work. It has been financed by Finnish Slot Machine Association RAY and administered by Itäinen tiimi ry organisation.

The aim of the project Verkkari is to create a model of regional operations helped by the peer activity called "Peer Receiving the Patient", which breaks a vicious circle of becoming ill again and returning back to the hospital.

The purposes of the project are:

• to educate employees and voluntary players practising peer activities in the mental health associations
• to develop influencing activity through the council of patients and the council of relatives
• to help the mental health associations with organizing their activities in the way which would encourage the members to take responsibility of their own life
• to improve the quality of life for people suffering from mental health problems by minimizing the threat of revolving door syndrome
• to gain savings in the social welfare and public health care expenses of the society

Also in English: Association.