Giving a Voice to Individuals with Psychosocial Disabilities: Services of Patients’ Trust Person in Lithuanian Psychiatric Hospitals
Giving a Voice to Individuals with Psychosocial Disabilities: Services of Patients’ Trust Person in Lithuanian Psychiatric Hospitals

Summary/Abstract: The service of the patients’ trust person (PTP) was implemented in Lithuania’s psychiatric hospitals; however, it did not take root. The article aims to examine the systemic causes of this phenomenon, and circumstances that determined its failure. The article presents the focussed group discussion during which people with psychosocial disabilities spoke about the need of the PTP, the chances of implementing and developing the service. The service of the PTP was much more innovative than other components of the mental health care system. Therefore the model of the PTP’s activities was modified, searching for the principle of providing the service best suited to Lithuanian reality. Persons with psychosocial disabilities have an important role in forming the mental health care policy therefore the article reveals their opinion of the PTPs’ service which improves the services at psychiatric hospitals and ensures patients’ rights. Research showed that the main requirements for the PTP are personal psychiatric experience, the ability to establish supportive relationship, and the independence. Analysis of Lithuania’s experience is important since: a) there is a great need of the service; b) its implementation failed. The case study is useful for mental health NGOs and mental health policy makers.

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