Sigrid Steffen (EUFAMI) letter to Mr. Petros Andronikos

Dear Petros,

It was very nice to meet you and all the other members of Posopsi at the WFMH conference in Athens last week. I am especially thankful that you gave me the opportunity to see the hostel and day centre your organisation has initiated.

It was a wonderful experience to see that all people living there have an excellent quality of life, very good meals, and nicely furnished rooms with a bathroom for each one. In addition to that they are highly motivated to contribute to the tasks of their daily life.  This can only be achieved with the very enthusiastic and dedicated professionals who are working there. This was what I recognized and I want to stress it.

Also the day centre is quite remarkable. The nice and cheerful atmosphere in both, the day centre and the hostel are of course a very good example of best practice. I was very impressed about the integrated programme you and the professionals offer to the people affected by a mental illness.

It is possible for some of the people living in the hostel to recover. But it is very disappointing not only for them but for all family members that the Greek government does not provide them with sheltered housing to extend their life expectations and possibilities. Despite all of this I would like to congratulate you and all members of Sopsi and of course the people living and working at the hostel and day centre for these wonderful environments in the heart of Athens. With my best wishes to you and to all family members in Athens.

Warmest regards

Sigrid Steffen
President of EUFAMI