LGBTI Persons from Prijedor and Zenica Empowered on the Importance of Mental Health Care

As part of the project “Regionalising of LGBTI inclusive psychosocial support and access to mental health services in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, funded by the European Union, in the previous period two trainings were held, organised by Sarajevo Open Centre, the topic being the importance of mental health care of LGBTI persons and the provision of LGBTI inclusive psychosocial support and mental health services. The trainings were held in July (22 and 23 July) and August (29 and 30 August) in Prijedor and Zenica. Two more training sessions will take place in September and October 2022.

Since the protection of mental health and general social well-being of LGBTI people is often surrounded by stigma and prejudice, it is necessary to raise awareness of LGBTI people themselves about the importance of maintaining well-being and mental health care and access to services in mental health systems.

The trainings were led by Amil Brković and Matej Vrebac from Sarajevo Open Centre, who talked about LGBTI identities, queer and feminist theory and movements, BiH queer history and basics of LGBTI human rights in BiH, and psychologists and psychotherapists from these local communities, Irena Đumić Jurić-Marijanović, Branko Ćulibrk and Nurka Babović who spoke about mental health. Topics that were covered throughout the workshops and exercises: the most common issues and challenges in the field of mental health, techniques for dealing with stress; personal and family boundaries; emotional literacy; power sources; aetiology of gender-based violence; basic human needs; humanistic approach – pillars of identity.

The goal of the project “Regionalising of LGBTI inclusive psychosocial support and access to mental health services in Bosnia and Herzegovina” is to create an environment in which LGBTI people will be encouraged and supported in accessing social protection and mental health systems that provide inclusive and sensitized services.

The project is implemented by Sarajevo Open Centre, and the project partner is the Wings of Hope Foundation from Sarajevo, which through its mental health program seeks to improve social inclusion and strengthen women, children, youth and other vulnerable groups, promoting and protecting human rights, mental health and support in education.

For information about upcoming trainings, follow the website, as well as the social networks of Sarajevo Open Centre. The trainings are intended primarily for LGBTI persons.

For more information about the project, please contact:

Delila Hasanbegović Vukas, Programme Coordinator at Sarajevo Open Centre

Phone: 033 551 000

E-mail: [email protected]