Proceedings of the 8th World Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities
Year: 2025
DOI:
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Solidarity Economy and Mental Health Networks as a possibility for the integration of teaching, research and extension in the human and social sciences: the LIBERSOL experience
Caique Lima Sette Franzoloso; Luís Felipe Ferro; Thainara Granero de Melo
ABSTRACT:
Promoting inclusion through work for people with mental health issues is a global challenge. The Solidarity Economy, in turn, is a collective form of work organization, based on solidarity and self-management. As an articulator, the LIBERSOL Network has strengthened Solidarity Economic Enterprises (EES) in the field of Mental Health. The work in question, with a qualitative approach and structured by action research, aims to present reflections and practices that affirm the power of Solidarity Economy networks as interdisciplinary fields that integrate teaching, research and extension activities inseparably with psychosocial care. As a result, it is worth highlighting the inclusion of 50 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students and professors from five different Higher Education Institutions. Incubation processes, qualification workshops, fundraising and psychosocial support for EES in vulnerable situations were developed. These actions made it possible to structure a canteen with an industrial kitchen at a university, which simultaneously serves as a learning laboratory and a space for generating income and social inclusion for people with mental health problems. The students nucleated and advised eight new EES in vulnerable situations in different public facilities. It is therefore concluded that Solidarity Economy networks are powerful strategies for bringing academic knowledge closer to the social reality experienced by Solidarity Economy Enterprises in the field of Mental Health, enabling the training of more engaged and ethically committed professionals. These networks also made it possible to articulate public policies in an intersectoral manner, since they promoted actions in the areas of work, health and assistance.
keywords: Psychosocial Rehabilitation; Social Inclusion; Students; University; Work