Associação Vida em Ação

Solidariedade na Marmita

Social Inclusion and Income Generation for People Afflicted by Mental Illness

The Reforma Psiquiátrica Brasileira (Brazilian Psychiatric Reform) is a movement proposing new care strategies for people living with mental illness, based on their social, economic, and cultural inclusion. The aim is to overcome the current care model of exclusion, arbitrary detention, and disease-causing conditions, and instead promote individual autonomy.

Bar Bibitantã is a collective that holds culinary events and uses work opportunities as a tool to ensure the rights and social inclusion of those in Community Psychosocial Centers (CAPS). This project intends to create a social enterprise that employs people in CAPS to produce nutritious and organic lunchbox meals. The meals would then be marketed and delivered by bicycle to the Itaim and Jardins districts of São Paulo.

With support from BrazilFoundation, the Association proposes to:

• Provide treatment for 16 workers who are currently using CAPS services;
• Market organic lunchboxes throughout affluent neighborhoods of São Paulo;
• Develop practices focused on cooperation, self-management, economic activity, and solidarity.

Impact

Autonomy and independence for 16 workers with mental illnesses
Social, economic, and cultural inclusion for individuals with mental illnesses

“If the project goes well, it will encourage the development of public policies in the field of mental health and economic and social solidarity.” – Vida em Ação Team