Honored Top Social Workers Celebrate Their Profession's Special Day
In Almaty, social workers dedicated to caring for patients with mental disorders were honored on the last Sunday of October, traditionally the day set aside for their professional holiday. Thirty employees of the "Demeu" Center for Special Social Services received honorary certificates, as reported by Almaty.tv.
Viktor Kim, a 65-year-old resident of Almaty, lives in the "Demeu" center. Twelve years ago, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Despite his affliction, Viktor pursues a fulfilling life with interests in decorating, interior design, and houseplant care.
"I love beauty, cleanliness, and making everything more attractive. I also love sports and used to practice Greco-Roman wrestling for ten years. I always did a morning run," shared Kim, the beneficiary.
Approximately 700 patients aged 18 and over with psychoneurological diseases are under the care of the "Demeu" Center. Many of them do not have family members able to take them home. At the center, patients are socialized and taught independent living skills.
Dr. Irina Oreshina, a therapist at the "Demeu" Center, explained, "Most of our residents already have chronic diseases that are usually stable. However, if they experience periods of exacerbation, we send them to the Center for Mental Health."
The "Demeu" Center offers residents various facilities, including sports equipment, gazebos, and walking areas. In their leisure time, the residents engage in crafts, painting, computer literacy, and even basic culinary art.
Before the Day of the Social Worker, a solemn event was held that culminated in the awarding of certificates of appreciation to 30 employees and an entertaining concert. Lazzat Jetibaev, the deputy head of the city's department of social welfare, noted that this year's celebration honored not only the employees of the center but also those from ten medical and social institutions.
Approximately 10,000 people in the city are registered with mental health issues, with nearly 4,000 of them under the care of social centers like "Demeu."
The "Demeu" Center, where Viktor Kim resides, is not just a place of care for individuals with mental disorders like him, but also a sanctuary for pursuing interests in health-and-wellness activities such as decorating and sports. Dr. Irina Oreshina, a therapist at the center, ensures that residents receive necessary science-based therapies-and-treatments when needed.
