To have the privilege of helping the underprivileged

In this intensive course we have learned more about the importins of helping the less fortuned and vulnerable groups in society. We have learned the value of teamwork, collaborative relationships between key worker and patient, listening and seeing the opportunities and resources the different people can contribute with. We have been given information, which demonstrate the work done for homeless and underprivileged peoples in different countries and in different schools.

Understanding and learning:

Support of mental health and well-being among the homeless and underprivileged groups are a high priority not only in Finland, but in other Scandinavian countries as well. In this course we have also been given the opportunity to learn about what Finland has done to its homeless and underprivileged groups. Among other things Finland has started housing programs for homeless, addicts and underprivileged groups, such as refugees and immigrants. They give people the opportunity to do everyday rehabilitation which is important and relevant for us, occupational therapists. From the occupational therapists point of view, seeing and hearing stories told about the difference organizations have made, inspire us to take the knowledge back home and try to help the people who are struggling in our own country. The occupational therapists role is to help people, who want, in their everyday lives by finding their meaningful activities. Our job is to giving everyone a chance to be active, and help people be part of the society as much as everyone else (Grandisson, m.fl., 2009). We also experience that mental health and wellbeing are connected and that by learning about what others do to promote mental health we can become better therapists and help more people.

Living in housing units and being apart of a society:
 

From our study tour to the housing unit we got an broader understanding on how important these offers are for those who are in need. But also how important the relationship and trust between the «key worker» and the homeless was. The feeling that we belong to a society and that the society sees you as a resources is something that everybody should feel. But unfortunately many of the homeless and refugees feel like they are standing on the outside, that they are not a resource, but a burden to the society. Organizations like the housing units show how important it is that the homeless can come there and be a part of a society and meet others who are in the same situation. And not feel excluded, but included, and feel that they are a resources to the society. We visit the «girls dorm», where woman who had previously been working as prostitutes could live in a safe environment, have their own apartment, and live with other women in the same position. They had a really strong unity, and respect for each other. Many of them had known each other from they were kids, and saw them as their own family.

What I liked about this housing unit was that it had grown so big, and become an own little society for those who had a rough time. There they were met with a mutual respect, understanding and wasn't judged based on their past. And most importantly they had a home that was theirs and only theirs.

Meaningful activities:
 

As occupational students we think we could have contributed to find hobbies and activities which are meaningful for each person. Many who are homeless, refugees or other underprivileged groups missed many of the activities that we take for granted, like washing clothes, go to the bank, make an home cooked meal and the list goes on. Daily activities that most of us take for granted, but the underprivileged misses growing up. Occupational therapists are experts in grading and adapting activities to each individual.

Literature:

Grandisson, M., Mitchell-Carvalho, M., Tang, V. & Korner-Bitensky, N., (2009) Occupational therapists' perceptions of their role with people who are homeless. British Journal of Occupational Therapy. Canada. DOI: 10.4276/030802209X12577616538672

Who am I:

Victoria Magne (21) and Silje Ness Mæland (22); VID Vitenskapelige Høgskole- Diakonhjemmet Høgskole Sandnes, Norway, Occupational therapy Bachelor. 

Giving those in need their daily bread

Over the last couple of days I have gained a lot of insight into the values and virtues of diaconal work with underprivileged populations. I felt welcomed, through discussions, to share the views, actions, and attitudes of christian diacony, through love and compassion for your next of kin, and utilizing them to perform altruistic actions without having a personal religious belief.

Many institutions we toured, learned of, and were lectured about, do not set demands for the clients, lowering the threshold for receiving necessary care. Now I can see how the diaconal institutions do not set demands for my religious beliefs, and lowers the threshold for me to give that necessary care.

Many in underprivileged situations are not far from functioning properly in a societal setting, needing help in a few, but important, key areas. In Norwegian nursing practice, caring for a client or patient only in those key areas, letting them cover their other needs where possible, is essential to maintain autonomy and self-worth. If your care for those in need springs from the "love of thy neighbour", helping them literally to get their "daily bread", is it important from where that love springs?

Who am I?

My name is Aksel Estensen, I'm a 22 year old Norwegian nursing student attending VID Specialized University campus Diakonhjemmet.

Intensive course in mental health and wellbeing

First of all, we would like to say a few words about our experince of the course. We think "Diak" and everyone that has been contributing, has done a really good job to make this seminar memorable for all the students (and teachers) participating. We have learned a lot about underprivileged populations and we think it has been a very interesting and informative course.

The topic is extremely important to discuss and illuminate, because it is a matter of life and death of vulnerable people. Our society should really make an effort to help the people in need, but it has to get organized in a good way to increase integration and avoid big cultural differences, crime, violence, drug addiction and unemployment.

We are four nursing students from Norway, studying at our second and last year at "Høyskolen Diakonova". We are between 22-35 years with different assumptions and expectations.

Who are we?

Stine Angeltveit, Alexandra Menelaou, Elin Myran and Maud Charlotte Gislerud