The implementation of the "Mind the Mind" project in Bosnia and Herzegovina stared at the International University of Sarajevo on Friday, December 19, 2014. A total number of 85 psychology students from the University of Sarajevo, University of Mostar, University of Banja Luka and the International University of Sarajevo attended the one-day educational workshop. The workshop was organized by Alma Jeftić, Coordinator of the "Mind the Mind" project for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Senior Assistant at the Psychology Program of the International University of Sarajevo.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Senija Tahirović, Coordinator of the Psychology Program at IUS, Nejra Jelovac and Miana Tvrtković as students of Psychology Program welcomed all present participants of the workshop. "Mind the Mind: To Combat the Stigma of Mental Disorders" is a project launched by the European Association of Psychology Students (EFPSA) to raise awareness about mental health problems, stigma towards people with mental disorders and the development of empathy for individuals who suffer from mental disorders. The project is currently being implemented in more than 18 European countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina. The participants of the workshop will conduct educational workshops, in the next year, for high school students across the country, with the aim of raising awareness and introducing students on how to fight stigma towards mental disorders.
The one-day educational program consisted of four interactive workshops and one lecture, carried out by psychologists and experts with years of experience in the field of mental health and psychotherapy: Assist. Prof. Dr. Sabina Alispahić from the Department of Psychology of the University of Sarajevo, Adi Hasanbašić, President of the Association for De-stigmatization and Social Recognition of People with Psychosocial Disabilities, Alma Pašalić, MSc, Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist, Darko Paranos, Director of the project '' Mental Health in Bosnia and Herzegovina '', and Alma Jeftić, Coordinator of the "Mind the Mind" project for BiH.
Through discussion, interactive teaching and exchange of ideas, students were introduced to current research in the field of mental health, stigma, and how to combat stigma. With the help of Katarina Mišetić, Representative of the Association of Psychology Students „Sinapsa“ possibilities are considered for connecting psychology students in BiH with European Association of Psychology Students (EFPSA). The entire idea is based on the desire of students of psychology to reduce prejudices and taboos that accompany persons with mental disorders and it is of voluntary character.
