IPčko, o.z.
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Mission Statement
At IPčko, our mission is to extend help to those in utmost need, precisely when and where they need it. We aspire to be as accessible as the apps on your phone, providing support that's readily available, just a pocket's reach away. While we diligently work to create safety nets to prevent suicides, we acknowledge that they can never be 100% foolproof. Hence, we recognize the necessity of continually devising new intervention methods, making it as effortless as possible for individuals not to face their toughest moments alone but to have someone accompany them through such challenges. We firmly believe in the universal right to receive help, regardless of who you are. As a result, all the crisis services we operate are anonymous, free of charge, and available 24/7, ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to seek the assistance they need.
About This Cause
IPčko is a civil society organization founded in 2012 in response to the demand for psychological support for young people through a communication channel that resonated with them. The initiative stemmed from the observation that young individuals were more reluctant to discuss their problems in face-to-face interactions, opting instead for communication through chat platforms where they felt more comfortable sharing serious concerns and issues. Consequently, the initial project was the establishment of an online support chatline, IPcko.sk, which continues to operate successfully to date. The concept of strategically crafting services to meet the needs of specific vulnerable groups through communication channels that resonate with them has deeply influenced us, leading to the establishment of three fundamental principles to which we steadfastly adhere to– anonymity, time availability of services, and cost-free access. of these could be summed up as different forms for accessibility of mental health services, which is the systematic problem IPčko is trying to tackle. Our services presently encompass both online and in-person support, forming a cohesive and interconnected network that functions as a tool for crisis intervention and prevention. Our online services are divided into five sub-categories based on the medium utilized and the specific demographic targeted. These categories were developed gradually in response to assessed needs over time. The first significant change was the incorporation of a crisis helpline through phone during the Covid-19 outbreak. During this period, we observed a shift in the usage of our chatline, originally designed for younger beneficiaries, with older individuals increasingly seeking support through this channel. Although initially uncomfortable for some, the pressing need for social interaction and assistance during challenging times became paramount. Both our chatline and phone helpline serve a similar purpose – providing an urgent response to immediate issues, tailored to the preferences of younger and older audiences respectively. Two very specific services are the email and videochat helpline. The email helpline caters to individuals who may not be in immediate crisis but are dealing with long-term issues they wish to share and explain. Often, they provide context to their stories and, at times, expect a miraculous solution. Our approach involves addressing their problems and guiding them toward taking the initial steps to resolve their situations. On the other hand, the videochat helpline is designed for individuals who find it challenging to articulate their situations verbally. Many of these individuals are victims of domestic violence, and through video, they can visually convey their circumstances. The final subcategory of our online assistance is our online terrain-team, designed to aid individuals who are unsure where to seek help. On online platforms and social media, people share their stories, relying on the trust they feel towards others in individual or group settings. Our observation is that these groups are often formed with the intention of mutual support, but they can deviate into negative patterns and inadvertently reinforce their pathologies. The responsibility of our online terrain workers is to "infiltrate" these groups, aiming to alter dynamics and guide individuals in need toward the appropriate assistance. On the other hand, we provide in-person services to complement our online assistance, delivering more comprehensive support and providing secure environments for individuals to address their emotions. One such in-person service is our Crisis Intervention Centers (Káčko), strategically located in every region of Slovakia. These centers offer a physical space where individuals can meet with a psychologist and discuss their concerns. In addition to containing various tools for psychologists to use in their sessions, the centers are aesthetically designed to create an appealing atmosphere, helping counteract the pervasive stigma associated with mental health. Furthermore, all these locations share a consistent design, ensuring a sense of familiarity wherever individuals seek help, fostering a connection with the feeling of safety. Our vision and aspiration, which we are diligently working towards, involve establishing a low-threshold club for youngsters accompanying each Káčko. Currently, we have successfully implemented five such clubs, each serving as a testament to our significant progress in creating spaces where young people feel at ease. Our aim is to provide them with environments where they can meaningfully spend their time, engaging in social activities with peers, participating in workshops, discussions, playing games, or enjoying movies. This program is entirely voluntary, but it is thoughtfully crafted to encompass activities that promote the personal development of young individuals, offer creative outlets, incorporate games that encourage social interaction and development of key competences for 21st century. What sets these clubs apart is that they are entirely managed by psychologists, and all the activities function as a bridge between the psychologist and the client. These clubs offer clients the opportunity to familiarize themselves with professionals in a friendly setting, fostering trust. In the event they need someone to talk to about their problems, the Káčko is available for individual sessions, providing a supportive space for meaningful conversations. Our primary focus is to establish an appealing and inclusive environment that is accessible to everyone, irrespective of gender, sexual preference, nationality, skin color, or any other discriminatory factors. The last significant component of our in-person services is the Crisis Intervention Outreach Team (KITIP), which ventures into the field to aid individuals navigating mentally challenging situations. This encompasses severe accidents, natural catastrophes, searches for missing persons, suicide attempts, and various other circumstances. Our team has been present aiding the victims and those affected by the terrorist attack at Zamocka, delivering crisis interventions to classes and schools where a suicide occurred, assisting bank workers after a robbery and to some extent still is, actively present at the border crossing with Ukraine, providing assistance to newly arriving individuals. A crucial aspect is our ability to relay information between different services and offer assistance precisely where it is needed the most. The final element of our comprehensive approach involves our innovative initiative to integrate psychology with technology. Focusing on the youth demographic, we confront the challenge of connecting with them amidst the proliferation of new social media platforms and devising content that is both pertinent to our field and engaging. As part of this initiative, we have established an online community on Discord, providing a space for people to engage in discussions on various topics, seek assistance if needed, or simply spend time with friends during our organized programs. Similarly, on Twitch, we play games as psychologists, actively interacting with the audience and addressing any topic they wish to discuss. An essential aspect of our approach is the internet anonymity factor, which may initially result in some "inappropriate" questions as individuals “test the waters”, but often evolves into meaningful conversations. We see this as a remarkable opportunity to create something truly unique that caters to our online audience, potentially helping address multiple societal challenges. In the year 2022, we facilitated 178,234 helping and crisis communications, and in the first half of 2023, we conducted 96,939. None of this would be possible without the invaluable support we receive from our partners and individuals who generously provide us with financial assistance. We extend our sincere gratitude to all those who contribute to our cause. Thank you for helping us make a difference in the lives of others.