Corner of Smiles - A Social Education project in a Mental Health context

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present a social education project developed in a mental health service in a hospital center in the north of Portugal, whose aim is to support people with severe mental illness and their families in their psychosocial rehabilitation process. It is a service whose mission and values are based on the assumptions of community psychiatry, which brings the intervention and the person with experience of mental illness closer to the community.

Methodologically based on Participatory Action Research, the "Corner of Smiles" project sought to promote the participation, autonomy, and empowerment of people with mental illness. As a strategy, the rehabilitation of an organic vegetable garden was used, and three interdependent actions were developed: (Re)Discover, which included moments of sharing, research, discussion, and decision-making; (Re)Build, which operationalised what had previously been planned; and (Re)Use, which put an end to the products grown.

The collective process of conceiving, planning and implementing the organic garden enabled steps to be taken in favour of greater autonomy and empowerment for people with mental illness. Together, they were able to: recognise and value their knowledge and skills; make choices, make decisions and commit to action; and live (more) meaningful and healthy experiences.