Our History
EPAPSY (Association for Regional Development and Mental Health) was founded in 1988, on the initiative of the Professor of Social Psychiatry, Stelios Stylianidis, proposing an alternative model of psychiatric care in the community based on the principles of Social Psychiatry and Psychosocial Rehabilitation. EPAPSY’s history is synonymous with the history of psychiatric reform in Greece, the struggles for the abolition of psychiatric asylums, the destigmatization of mental illness and the care of people with psychosocial problems with respect towards their rights and dignity.
Being faithful to the principles of Community Psychiatry and Psychosocial Rehabilitation, it has supported the establishment and operation of Social Cooperatives of Limited Liability in the 5th Mental Health Sector of Attica, in Central Greece and Trikala, as well as of local mental health associations in Chalkida, the northern suburbs of Attica and Boeotia.
Always focused on its founding vision, EPAPSY regularly publishes scientific articles, delivers speeches and gives interviews in national media on the promotion of mental health in the community, psychosocial rehabilitation and the prevention of psychosocial problems. For there is no health without mental health and there is no mental health without equal access to the goods and services ensuring everyone’s right to live.
Our Mission
PROVIDING HOLISTIC PSYCHOSOCIAL CARE TO THE COMMUNITY
- Aiming at the early treatment of mental disorders
- Prevention of suicidality
- Reduction of involuntary hospitalizations
RAISING AWARENESS AND EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY
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Aiming at the elimination of the mental illness stigma and the psychosocial reintegration
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Rehabilitation of vulnerable mental health groups
ADVOCATING AND DEFENDING THE BENEFICIARES' RIGHTS
- Regular updates and legal support for themselves and their families
- Mediation with the relevant government and civil society actors
INTRODUCING INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO THERAPY
- Constant research and documentationd
- Development of collaborations at national and international level
Contributing to the improvement of the public mental health system through the principles and practices of community psychiatry
Our Vision
To be a beacon of mental health promotion in Greece, ensuring holistic community psychiatric care to everyone, everywhere, based on scientifically documented standards and ethical criteria.
Our Values
Democracy in therapy
Reducing social and geographic inequalities in psychosocial care and encouraging the participation of both the beneficiaries and their families in the treatment plan.
Quality in health care
Investing in interdisciplinary collaborations, the implementation of the WHO guidelines, the liaison with local services and actors, as well as in the regular training and evaluation of our personnel on their scientific work.
The right to well-being
Bridging the gap between providing psychiatric care and the substantial well-being of the beneficiaries, by advocating for the constitutional rights of vulnerable mental health groups, and respecting their personality, dignity, autonomy, recovery and equal social inclusion.
Transparency and accountability
The financial statement of our Association is audited annually by independent chartered accountants, while our budget is also submitted to the Hellenic Court of Audit. The principles of responsibility and accountability guide our work with our colleagues, our service beneficiaries and their families, our partner community entities and the state.
