Recovery College in Krakow

The Patients’ Association “Open the Doors” from Kraków, Poland gathers individuals who want to share their recovery experience and counteract stigma placed on the mentally ill.

Educational activities on recovery cover various social groups. The course „Assistant in Recovery” is a new profession for persons with mental health crisis. The Cogito Academy of Leaders is a movement of experts through experience  who are acting for the mentally ill in Poland. Participation in psychiatry events and cooperation with the city’s cultural  institutions play an important part. Together with professionals we investigate the quality of psychiatric care. Apart from the magazine of communities acting for the mentally ill „Dla Nas” (For  Us) the organization publishes books and is often present in media. Moreover our experience is shared in international cooperation. Finally, our participation in internal political structures is meant for the implementation of community psychiatry in Poland.

We have carried out about 500 educational meetings for over five thousand participants, especially medicine students. The “Assistant in Recovery” course  has been led since 2020 and more than 60 % of 110 graduates found the relevant employment. The Cogito Academy of Leaders has held regular meetings since 2016 and we participate in annual Days of Solidarity, psychiatry conferences or art exhibitions. Our research covered the topic of  barriers to work and employment and the needs of the mentally ill in our region like inclusion and support. The “Dla Nas” magazine has issued  60 editions so far. We also published  “Empowerment and Recovery” books. With our German or Norwegian partners we exchange experience and get inspiration. Our members are engaged in the Ministry of Health Committee for Psychiatry System Reform or the Commissioner for Human Rights.           

The Recovery College in Kraków is an example of good practice and support for people with mental health problems.