"חוכמת המעשה": התאמה והטמעה של התערבות לניהול עצמי והפחתת סטיגמה עצמית בקרב בני נוער המתמודדים עם הפרעות נפשיות

Background: Psychiatric disorders commonly develop during adolescence. Those affected experience considerable challenges in coping with symptoms as well as with social stigma and self-stigma.Although the Israeli education system offers a range of services focusing on symptom remission, less attention has been given as to how to help adolescents cope with social and personal consequences.Purpose of the article: Our article describes a pioneering endeavor to help adolescents in the special education system who have psychiatric problems develop better coping mechanisms and a more positive self-image. It details an interdisciplinary effort to develop and adapt amanualized intervention based on Illness-Management and Recovery (IMR) and Narrative Enhancement Cognitive Therapy (NECT), which is currently used with adults.Method: A leading interdisciplinary team was established to develop the adapted intervention,create a training course for facilitators, and supervise its implementation.Main findings: The article describes the various stages in adapting the intervention to a youth population, with its unique characteristics, as well as the challenges encountered during the actual implementation.Implications for practice: Four training sessions on implementing the intervention were conducted by the Special Education Division. These sessions were attended by 80 educators and therapists,who subsequently led approximately 50 groups in which nearly 300 students in various special educational settings participated. Our article discusses the lessons learned and the implications for future practice and research.