Self-help movement of people with experience of mental illness - Support Group TROP

Objective: The aim of this article is to present the role and importance of self-help among the mentally ill people, show the status of such activities in the world and in Poland, as well as to present good practices on the example of actions Support Group "TROP". Views: For many years self-help groups of the mentally ill people have been dynamically operating in the United States and Western Europe. The basis of their activity is the assumption that people with similar problems can support one another. Participation in such groups has a positive effect on the perceived support, self-esteem and quality of life, as commitment to the self-help movement supports the healing process. User organizations also have a significant influence on the current shape of the mental health system. In Poland self-help movements are still in the early stages of creation. One of the few self-help groups is the Support Group "TROP" which is part of to the People with Mental Illnesses Support Agreement. The group leads to extensive activities that include education and intervention in the field of human rights, the provision of telephone counseling other patients, educational meetings pertaining to the destigmatization for school and university students and for NGOs. Group members are present in the media and participate in scientific conferences presenting their experiences in dealing with the mental illness and recovery. Conclusions: The self-help activities of people who have experienced mental illness play an important role in supporting other ill people and their families. Those people can also contribute to changes in the mental health system and preventing stigmatization. Mentally ill people community has the potential necessary to take such actions. Access to stable funding and training programs aimed at promoting competence in counseling, human rights and public appearance form the basis for the effectiveness of such initiatives. Basing on the experience, it may be concluded that colleges provide the most opportune conditions ensuring partnership and support offered to the independent activity of the mentally ill people. (C) 2016 Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology. Published by Elsevier Sp. zo.o. All rights reserved.