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„I ride with you“ – active promotion of mental health in Bulgaria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2022

K. Guevara*
Affiliation:
State Psychiatric Hospital for treatment of drug addiction and alcoholism, Acute Ward, Sofia, Bulgaria

Abstract

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Introduction

One of the main concepts of mental health promotion is proactivity, rather than reactivity. As psychiatrists we must be the first line of mental health advocacy and to do so we must share clear messages and take definitive actions.

Objectives

Inventing a cause that raises mental health awareness in the society. Afterwards creating a page in the social media that uses common language and which represents the main concepts of mental health and also targets prevention and treatment of mental disorders. Taking part in sport events that have the potential to increase the social awareness and reaching national media in order to popularize the cause.

Methods

First came creation of a page in the social media. Afterwards came the preparation of video materials and e-posters on the following topics: mental health, stigma, myths and facts about mental disorders, early trauma, mental disorders. The materials were posted and “boosted”. All this was accompanied by numerous media events and interviews on national media. In order to garner more attention there were two participations in a 750km bike ultra marathons.

Results

The complex approach of the cause „I ride with you” (Az Karam s teb) led to the establishment of a popular page in the social media. Within 1 year the page got 1500 followers. The page content was shared 733 times. There were 12 national media appearances. All these numbers represent a small but significant step in mental health promotion.

Conclusions

In order to promote healthy “mental environment” we must use diverse and contemporary approaches.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Type
Abstract
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association
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