Our History
Merimna - Who We Are
2016
Training for Professionals Supporting Underage Refugees - Migrants
Since 2016, Merimna has been implementing empowerment programs for professionals working in shelters with refugee and migrant families, as well as for professionals working in shelters for unaccompanied minors. The programs are funded by UNICEF in cooperation with the National Centre for Social Solidarity (EKKA) and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA).
The aim of the programs is the training and clinical supervision of professionals working in these shelters in Greece.
2013
Childhood Bereavement Counseling Center in Thessaloniki
In 2013 Merimna opened a second Childhood Bereavement Counseling Center in Thessaloniki.
2010
Pediatric Palliative Home Care Service
In 2010 Merimna founded the Pediatric Palliative Home Care Service, which is the only service in Greece that provides medical and psychosocial care to children with life-threatening illness as well as to their families.
1998
Childhood Bereavement Counseling Center
Merimna founded, in 1998, a Childhood Bereavement Counseling Center in Athens.
1995
The Founding of Merimna
It was within that climate that Merimna, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1995 by nine professionals comprised of university professors, pediatric hospital directors, mental health professionals and a clergyman who all wanted to create something effective and well organized in Greece for children whose lives have been overturned by life threatening illness or the death of a loved one.
1990
Increased awareness of the psychosocial needs of children
In the early 1990’s medical and mental health professionals in Greece began to take an interest in the study of the psychosocial needs of children with life threatening illnesses as well as the bereavement needs of families who had experienced the loss of a loved one.
Founding Members of Merimna
1. Danai Papadatou (President)
Professor of Clinical Psychology, Department of Nursing, University of Athens
2. Mirto Neilson (Treasurer)
Psychologist, Psychotherapist
3. Chrysoula Lemonidou (Secretary)
Professor of Nursing, University of Athens
4. Sotiris Manolopoulos
Psychoanalyst, Pediatric Psychiatrist
5. John Papadatos
Director of Intensive Care, P.&K. Kyriakou Pediatric Hospital
6. Stella Tsitoura
Director of Department of Social Medicine, P.&K. Kyriakou Pediatric Hospital
7. John Ifantopoulos
Professor of Health Economics, Department of Nursing, University of Athens
8. Alexandros Fostiropoulos
University Priest, University of London, England
9. Maria Wasielewski
Nurse, Counseling Psychotherapist
Honorary President: Konstantinos Papadatos
Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics, University of Athens