Foundation Global Initiative on Psychiatry – Tbilisi (GIP-T)

The Foundation Global Initiative on Psychiatry –Tbilisi is a Georgian-based not-for-profit organization that assists professional communities, NGOs, international agencies, governments, universities, and other development institutions in the Caucasus, Central Asia, and other countries (i.e. Ukraine) to improve rights-based mental health care. 

 

The organization started its activities in May 2003, under the name of “Geneva Initiative on Psychiatry – Tbilisi” as the Regional Support Centre for the Caucasus and Central Asia. In April 2005 the name of the organization was changed to “Global Initiative on Psychiatry – Tbilisi” (GIP-Tbilisi). GIP-Tbilisi is a member of the GIP Federation with other partner GIP organizations. 

GIP – Tbilisi aims to work at 3 levels of society to achieve maximal effect:

MICRO

To introduce and develop innovative, culturally sensitive,  acceptable approaches to mental health care GIP-T supports innovative projects. services and activities.

MESO

To foster rights-based mental health care GIP-T  provides and supports the dissemination of modern literature, capacity building,  workshops, and local and international conferences, and partners with universities. Research is a priority that allows us to find new knowledge and evidence that could inform programs, policies, and practices in the mental health field.

MACRO

The main strategy is to influence the governments and other key stakeholders to shift towards rights-based care, and conform to universal human rights mechanisms and modern standards of global mental health; to support the development of relevant mental health policies, programs, and plans; to create the monitoring mechanism and supervising independent bodies for ensuring respect and autonomy of people with mental ill health.

Priority Program Areas:

  • Protection and Advocacy of Human Rights of people with mental disorders and disabilities
  • Improving legislation, programs, and policies
  • Emergency mental health and psychosocial support systems
  • Support of deinstitutionalization and community-based care
  • Promotion of Child and adolescent mental health
  • Advancement of knowledge and practices in the Psychotrauma field and psychosocial aid for trauma survivors
  • Promotion of Juvenile Justice reform
  • Improving Forensic psychiatry and prison mental health
  • E-mental health

 

Projects of GIP-Tbilisi

Current Projects

01/01/2022 – 30/04/2025

CIVIL SOCIETY FOR RESILIENT AND SAFER COMMUNITIES

This project aims to reduce crime and drug abuse in Georgia, focusing on youth, women, and vulnerable communities. It works on improving prevention, rehabilitation programs, and mental health services, while supporting disadvantaged groups like ethnic minorities and women.

01/04/2023 – 31/03/2025

SOLATIUM: FOR JUSTICE AND WELLBEING

This project supports war-affected victims of the 2008 conflict, offering mental, medical, and social assistance to promote recovery and social cohesion. It also helps foster income-generating activities, including supporting small agricultural projects.

01/08/2023 – 01/02/2025

TMS4MH – TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION SOMATIC THERAPY METHOD

This project introduces Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy to Georgia, enhancing mental health services at Ilia State University. It provides new clinical practice and research opportunities, aiming to improve treatment for mental health conditions.

15/06/2024 – 15/12/2024

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR GEORGIAN MEDIA COMMUNITY DURING THE 2024 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS PERIOD

This project helps media professionals manage work-related stress during the election period by providing workshops, stress-management information, and individual counseling sessions.

Past Projects

15/05/2023 – 30/09/2023

DEVELOPMENT OF PATHWAYS AND CLINICAL GUIDELINES FOR CERTAIN MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS

Developed clinical guidelines and pathways for disorders like Dementia, Psychosis, and Depression, based on international evidence. Guidelines were shared with Georgia’s Ministry for further adaptation.

08/09/2022 – 21/12/2022

2022 HEALTH PROMOTION STATE PROGRAM – HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CAMPAIGN

This campaign educated parents and teens on drug misuse prevention and healthy lifestyles through webinars, training sessions, and social media outreach.

15/06/2021 – 28/02/2022

UN JP HUMAN RIGHTS FOR ALL – PHASE II

Aimed at improving mental health care accessibility for people with mental disorders by training primary health care professionals and raising public awareness about mental health issues.

28/09/2021 – 31/12/2021

SUPPORTING STUDENTS' MENTAL HEALTH DURING COVID-19

Promoted emotional well-being among students in Tbilisi and Adjara during their return to schools post-COVID, through peer education and awareness-raising events.

10/02/2022 – 25/02/2022

ADDRESSING COVID-19 STRESS AND TRAUMA

Strengthened the capacity of primary healthcare workers to address mental health issues caused by COVID-19, with training in trauma management and self-care.

01/02/2018 – 30/09/2020

MH 2R - PROMOTING RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH MENTAL DISORDERS

Promoted the rights of people with mental disorders through advocacy, capacity building, and increased funding for mental health care. Contributed to crime prevention and the re-socialization of juveniles.

01/05/2021 – 30/04/2022

SUPPORT OF THE REHABILITATION AND RE-SOCIALIZATION OF PERSONS IN CONFLICT WITH LAW

Developed rehabilitation programs for people in conflict with the law, focusing on emotional management, interpersonal relationships, and relapse prevention.

10/10/2020 – 31/03/2021

DEMCOV-PHC – DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF COVID-19 AT THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE LEVEL

Strengthened primary healthcare providers' capacity to address mental health problems related to COVID-19, training specialists and providing mental health support to over 900 individuals.

Since April 2019, GIP-T has run a mental health service in 2 main cities of Georgia – Club Synergy Tbilisi and Batumi, offering multidisciplinary care to adolescents and youth (14-25) and their family members. 

 

Team of GIP-Tbilisi

Nino Makhashvilli, MD, PhD

eXECUTIVE Director

Maia Khundadze, MD

project manager

Jana Javakhishvili, PhD

program coordinator

Nino Mkurnali

finance and administrative assistant

Tamar Okujava, MD

project manager

Irina Chopikashvili

finance manager

FLYER OF THE PSYCHOSOCIAL SERVICES NR. 1

FLYER OF THE PSYCHOSOCIAL SERVICES NR. 2

CLUB SYNERGY

Our Partners

State Partners: Healthcare and Social Issues Committee of the Parliament of Georgia. Department of Health Care Policy of the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs; Office of Resource Officers of Education Institutions of the  Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia; Crime Prevention Referral Center and National Probation Agency.

 

International Partners: Oxford Brooks University, Eppendorf University Clinic – Hamburg, The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Cardiff University, Stichting The CARe Network.


Local Partners: Curatio International Foundation, Institute of Democracy (IOD), Ilia State University, Georgian Center for Psychological and Medical Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (GCRT), Alliance for Better Mental Health(ABMH), Alternative Georgia, Onlain media organization  Publika.

Contacts

7 Gabashvili Str. | Tbilisi 0162 Georgia
Tel. 995 32 2235314
tbilisi@gip-global.org

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