PARALLEL EXPERIENCES

4 gates of European culture

A reflection on the social exclusion of people with mental disorders in today’s world.

September 13th – 18th, 2010 in Prague

December 6th - 11th, 2010 in Bratislava

January 17th - 21st, 2011 in Dresden

March 7th - 12th, 2011 in Wien

The aim of the project called Parallel Experience is to make the public aware of the fact that people with mental disorders constitute a significant part of our society and that the problem of this particular group’s social exclusion is everyone’s problem. About 20% of population is stricken by some form of mental disorder during their life, with the most serious form – psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia, acute psychotic disorders, etc.) affecting about 1-2% of the population. Sooner or later, people persistently suffering from some kind of mental disorder are often isolated and excluded from society. At first, this is caused by needed long term hospitalization, later, by complicated social integration. Often they lose their families, friends, jobs, etc. As a result of significant decreases in their standard of living, they live in isolation, on welfare or subsidized payments, or they are placed (even for several years) in mental institutions or specialized homes for seniors. Due to society’s reaction, the mentally ill are often ashamed of their illness and feel stigmatized by it. In general, society knows very little about the topic of mental disorders, with many prevailing myths and views constructing barriers in the way of adequate professional help.

The project will be realize in a way that will disturb daily schedule in the Clinic as little as possible. We suppose that the mutual co-operation could be very fruitful for both the Clinic and the patients. We believe that the Parallel Experiences project have the potential to speak to wide public and to significantly help to straighten the view on people with mental disorders and increase the toleration of socienty when they try to integrate back in the major society.

The project Parallel Experience will take place in Prague, Bratislava, Vienna and Dresden, for a period of one week at each location between September 2010 and March 2011. The project consists of four parts: an exhibition, interactive screening, performance, professionally led lectures/workshops for the general pubic.

Parallel Experiences are organized by OPONA, o.p.s. together with MVP agency s.r.o. under the auspicious of doc. MUDr. Leoš Heger, Csc., Minister of Health of the Czech Republic.

www.parallelexperiences.eu