The partnership between the psychiatric outpatient clinic (PIA) of Psychiatric University Hospital Charité at St. Hedwig-Hospital and the Centre for Mental Health in Tbilisi, Georgia, is to shift outpatient- and follow-up care for inpatients away from uniquely drugs-based treatment.
Problem: The Centre for Mental Health in Tbilisi has no means of providing treatment going beyond drugs-based care, such as individual or group psychotherapy.
Main activities: Representatives of all health professions in Tbilisi involved in caring for mental health patients in an outpatient setting learn about new treatment methods in further and advanced training. Regular supervision and interdisciplinary interventions allow them to reflect on these. Results, experience and materials produced are to be presented in a final report to the political level in Georgia and to interested members of the professions.
Short-term results: The bio-psychosocial approach is to be introduced in outpatient psychiatric care in Tbilisi.
Long-term results: Outpatient care for psychiatric patients and rehabilitation following inpatient care are to be improved. The quality of life and the level of happiness of individuals with mental health conditions is to be enhanced, and their level of participation raised.