Revolutionizing Mental Health Access: Discover the Map of Free Mental Health Services in Romania

Free mental health care to support people in vulnerable situations

In a world where mental health care is often out of reach for many, the Estuar Foundation is revolutionising access with the launch of an interactive platform mapping free mental health services. Tailored to local needs, it ensures that everyone, especially those in vulnerable situations, can find the support they need, empowering individuals to reclaim their well-being and make informed choices about their mental health journey.

The map has been adapted from the original Polish version created by the Human Foundation, which also supported its application to the Romanian context and advised the Estuar Foundation on the best practices for its development as part of the Mentality EU project.

Tailored to local needs and characteristics, the interactive map responds to the growing need to access (free) mental health services. This map currently displays over 60 facilities providing free mental health services in the Cluj Napoca region, and by the end of the year, it will provide national coverage. The types of services available on the map include mental health centres, therapy services, support centres, shelters, cultural institutions and public institutions as well. The site provides contact details and allows users to search for information by category, location and keywords, and to share opinions or feedback.

Empowerment and self-determination: the map’s ultimate goal

The interactive map was created through a co-creational process, with beneficiaries and volunteers involved in collecting and verifying data.

“I felt strong working on this project, I felt good that I could be useful, that I did something useful.” one of the beneficiaries declared. A Psychology student volunteering to develop the map approached it as a crucial resource for herself and her future clients. While working on the project, she was excited to discover a whole community working towards the same goal: “I felt like I was talking to people who were just as passionate about mental health as I was and were happy to help.”

A key feature of the initiative is enabling people to have a process of self-determination and regain their decision-making capacity. The interactive map is an ‘umbrella’ map that supports the possibility of accessing more than traditional therapeutic options, but also opportunities for complementary actions. The aim of this is to address not only the medical issue but also issues that lead to social isolation or exclusion (e.g. access to digital tools, and social or cultural services), as well as to show that there is space in the system for bottom-up initiatives, opening up the possibility to choose to approach mental health issues from a psychosocial perspective, rather than the biomedical one. As such, we can affirm that the map developed thanks to the Mentality EU project also acts as an empowerment tool for mental health users in making informed choices that support their journey.

“We are very happy to have launched this first phase of the interactive map. I want to thank our volunteers and beneficiaries who got involved in the project; their work is so significant and will bring much value to other people who experience mental health problems or are in vulnerable situations. There is an increased need to access mental health services, but there is not enough offer, as shown by the research done in the first part of the Mentality project. We hope that this will be a first step towards making the relevant institutions aware that we need more support for people experiencing mental health problems,” said Orsolya Finta, coordinator of the Estuar Centre in Cluj.

As the map continues to expand its reach, it stands as a testament to the power of community and collaboration. By offering accessible mental health services, Estuar Foundation is not only bridging gaps but also fostering a society where mental well-being is within everyone’s reach, inspiring hope and resilience.