ARAPDIS - Asociación por la Rehabilitación y Adaptación de Personas Disminuidas en su Capacidad de Integración Sociolaboral

Community mental-health rehabilitation

ARAPDIS is a Barcelona nonprofit established in 1989 by Dr. Ramón Blasi and his team. Its full name is Asociación por la Rehabilitación y Adaptación de Personas Disminuidas en su Capacidad de Integración Sociolaboral. It holds public-benefit status under Resolution JUS/675/2013 and marked its 35th anniversary in 2024. The association describes itself as a pioneer in tertiary mental-health services in Catalonia.

ARAPDIS works on care, rehabilitation, normalization, and inclusion for people whose ability to participate in work and community life is limited, with a particular focus on community mental-health rehabilitation. Its multidisciplinary team includes psychiatrists, psychologists, physicians, nurses, social workers, educators, activity leaders, caregivers, and administrative staff.

Services and programs

• Community Rehabilitation Service (SRC): prevention, wellness promotion, guidance, care, skill-building, rehabilitation, and support for community reintegration.
• Verntallat-Nord Mental Health Residential Home: 20 places for people with mental illness and other psychosocial conditions.
• Supported apartments: transitional housing between a hospital and independent living, with qualified staff providing support based on each resident's needs.
• Independent Living Support Service (SAVI).
• Social Club: a specialized service that supports social connections and skills for people with mental-health conditions through meaningful free-time activities.
• Pre-employment service: daytime support coordinated with social, health, education, and employment services to help people with serious mental-health conditions pursue employment pathways.
• Research.

Awards and recognition

Recognition includes the Vila de Gràcia Award (2008); the 13th Solidarity Award from the Parliament of Catalonia and the Catalan Institute for Human Rights (2000); support for social initiatives from La Caixa (2000); the Nicómedes García Gómez Foundation Award from the Spanish Association of Neuropsychiatry (1996); and recognition for Club Psicosocial Ramon Blasi from Uruguay's Ministry of Public Health (1999).

Location and contact

Address: 537–539 Carrer Sardenya, 08024 Barcelona, Spain. Phone: +34 934 154 617. Emails: associacio@arapdis.org and direccio@arapdis.org. The association offers a free social-care assessment and guidance visit through its contact form.