[Mentalmente Sanos: an experience with a community approach]

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Community Mental Health
• Occupational Therapy and Social Inclusion

Background:

• The need to transition psychiatric care from clinical to community models.
• Establishment of Mentalmente Sanos in 2009 as an academic initiative.
• Collaboration between Universidad del Valle and E.S.E Ladera Health Network.

Purpose of the Study:

• To promote social inclusion and develop everyday social skills for individuals with mental disabilities.
• To implement a community-based approach to psychiatric care.
• To foster collaboration between students, professors, and individuals with mental disabilities.

Main Methods:

• A community-centered, capacity-building approach.
• Weekly joint construction activities based on participant interests and abilities.
• Interdisciplinary involvement of Occupational Therapy, Medicine, and Psychiatry students and professors.

Main Results:

• Facilitation of social inclusion processes for participants.
• Implementation of a community care model in psychiatric services.
• Enhanced development of social skills in daily life for individuals with mental disabilities.

Conclusions:

• Mentalmente Sanos effectively promotes social inclusion and community-based care.
• The initiative highlights the importance of a social model of disability.
• Linking institutional actors is crucial for sustainable community mental health strategies.