<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><sec id="j_sjph-2016-0032_s_101_w2aab2b8c18b1b7b1aab1c15b1Aa"><h3>Introduction</h3><p>The contribution’s aim is highlighting the differences in understanding non-governmental organizations’ (NGOs) role in the mental health area within the public support network for patients with mental health problems from various viewpoints, in order to achieve progress in supporting patients with mental health problems in local communities.</p></sec><sec id="j_sjph-2016-0032_s_102_w2aab2b8c18b1b7b1aab1c15b2Aa"><h3>Methods</h3><p>Qualitative data gathered as a part of a cross-sectional study of NGOs in the support network for patients with mental health problems in two Slovenian health regions (56 local communities), carried out in 2013 and 2014, were used. Qualitative analysis of interviews, focus groups and answers to an open survey question was performed.</p></sec><sec id="j_sjph-2016-0032_s_103_w2aab2b8c18b1b7b1aab1c15b3Aa"><h3>Results</h3><p>There are differences in understanding NGOs’ role in the support network for patients with mental health problems, which stem from the roles of stakeholders (local community officials, experts, care providers, and patients) within this system and their experience.</p></sec><sec id="j_sjph-2016-0032_s_104_w2aab2b8c18b1b7b1aab1c15b4Aa"><h3>Discussion and conclusion</h3><p>The actual differences need to be addressed and overcome in order to provide integrated community care. The importance of knowing the current state of NGOs in their life cycle and the socio-chronological context of the local community support network is evident.</p></sec></abstract>

IntroductionThe contribution’s aim is highlighting the differences in understanding non-governmental organizations’ (NGOs) role in the mental health area within the public support network for patients with mental health problems from various viewpoints, in order to achieve progress in supporting patients with mental health problems in local communities.MethodsQualitative data gathered as a part of a cross-sectional study of NGOs in the support network for patients with mental health problems in two Slovenian health regions (56 local communities), carried out in 2013 and 2014, were used. Qualitative analysis of interviews, focus groups and answers to an open survey question was performed.ResultsThere are differences in understanding NGOs’ role in the support network for patients with mental health problems, which stem from the roles of stakeholders (local community officials, experts, care providers, and patients) within this system and their experience.Discussion and conclusionThe actual differences need to be addressed and overcome in order to provide integrated community care. The importance of knowing the current state of NGOs in their life cycle and the socio-chronological context of the local community support network is evident.

The role of non-governmental organizations in the mental health area: differences in understanding

Faculty of Health Sciences Novo mesto, Na Loko 2, 8000 Novo mesto,

University of Ljubljana, Faculty for Health Sciences, Zdravstvena pot 5, 1000 Ljubljana,

Slovenian Journal of Public Health

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Vloga nevladnih organizacij na področju duševnega zdravja: razlike v razumevanju

IntroductionThe contribution’s aim is highlighting the differences in understanding non-governmental organizations’ (NGOs) role in the mental health area...

The role of non-governmental organizations in the mental health area: differences in understanding

Article Category: Research article

Published Online: Jul 28, 2016

Page range: 231 - 238

Received: Nov 16, 2015

Accepted: May 03, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/sjph-2016-0032

Keywords
mental health, non-governmental organizations, community approach, integrated care, collaboration, local communities

© National Institute of Public Health, Slovenia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The role of non-governmental organizations in the mental health area: differences in understanding

Article Category: Research article

Published Online: Jul 28, 2016

Page range: 231 - 238

Received: Nov 16, 2015

Accepted: May 03, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/sjph-2016-0032

Keywordsmental health, non-governmental organizations, community approach, integrated care, collaboration, local communities

© National Institute of Public Health, Slovenia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
mental health, non-governmental organizations, community approach, integrated care, collaboration, local communities