Social exclusion of people with mental disorders

Osobe s duševnim smetnjama spadaju među najranjivije i najmarginaliziranije članove društva. Zbog nepredvidivosti pojave duševnih smetnji i činjenice da njihov broj u svijetu svakodnevno raste, od velike je važnosti osigurati im zaštitu kroz različite međunarodne i nacionalne dokumente, kao i iste implementirati u praksi. Brojna istraživanja svjedoče o socijalnoj isključenosti osoba s duševnim smetnjama. U ovom radu obrađuju se teme isključenosti iz pristupa materijalnim resursima, iz svijeta rada te društvenog i kulturnog života. Također im je otežan pristup uslugama za zaštitu mentalnog zdravlja u zajednici. Pruža se pregled literature o stigmatizaciji i institucionalnoj skrbi koje čine glavne prepreke koje onemogućavaju njihovu punu uključenost u svakodnevni život zajednice. Osobito je istaknuta uloga socijalnog radnika u case managementu kao jednom od važnih oblika skrbi o osobama s duševnim smetnjama u zajednici. Socijalni radnici, zajedno s ostalim stručnjacima iz područja mentalnog zdravlja, imaju zadaću boriti se protiv stigmatizacije prema osobama s duševnim smetnjama, pružati im pomoć i podršku u suočavanju sa bolesti te im olakšati svakodnevno funkcioniranje s ciljem uključivanja u zajednicu.People with mental disorders belong to the most vulnerable and the most marginalized members of society. Due to the unpredictability of the occurrence of mental disorders and the fact that their number is constantly increasing all over the world, it is of great importance to ensure the protection of persons with mental disorders trough various international and national documents, as well as to implement those documents in practice. Numerous studies show the level of their social exclusion. This paper covers topics of exclusion from access to material resources, labor market and social and cultural life. They also face difficulties in accessing mental health services in the community. An overview of the literature on stigmatization and institutional care, which are some of the main obstacles preventing full inclusion in the daily community life, is provided. The role of social worker in case management is particularly highlighted as one of the important methods of community care for people with mental disorders. Together with other mental health experts, social workers are on a mission to fight against stigmatization towards people with mental disorders, providing them with help and support during their dealing with the disease, and also to alleviate their functioning on a daily basis, all with a goal for their inclusion in community life