Turkish Green Crescent Society Turns 104

Yeşilay, one of Turkey's most respected civil society organizations, is 104 years old, working steadily to establish an independent, healthy future worthy of human dignity for all citizens, especially young people. Yeşilay, a civil society organization combating alcohol, tobacco, substance, gambling and technology addictions and protecting society from harmful habits, provides services through 120 branches, 107 counseling centers, 2 rehabilitation centers, over 100,000 volunteers and 97 Yeşilay organizations worldwide.

"We are working with all our dedication for our country"

Speaking on the occasion of Yeşilay Week, Yeşilay General President Prof. Dr. Mücahit Öztürk stated; "Yeşilay today operates through 97 Yeşilay organizations across many different geographies around the world in the field of combating addiction. Yeşilay has accelerated the services it provides, especially domestically, in recent years. With hundreds of staff members, 120 branches and over 100,000 volunteers, we are working with full dedication to create a healthy living environment and future for all our citizens, especially our young people. As a leading organization in combating addiction through our awareness, prevention and advocacy activities in both national and international arenas, we continue to generate greater social impact by leveraging our experience and accumulated knowledge, and strengthening our efforts alongside our volunteers and professional volunteers. We reach tens of thousands of people through our Yeşilay Counseling Centers (YEDAM) in every province of our country. In our two major cities, at our Rehabilitation Centers in Bursa and Diyarbakır, we provide inpatient treatment services to our clients. Clients are admitted to Yeşilay Rehabilitation Centers through referral from Yeşilay Counseling Centers (YEDAM), Alcohol and Substance Treatment Centers (AMATEM), and Child and Adolescent Alcohol and Substance Treatment Centers (ÇEMATEM), provided they have completed detoxification treatment from the substance they were using and show no withdrawal symptoms. At Yeşilay Rehabilitation Centers, individuals with alcohol and substance addiction are supported in medical, psychological, social, academic and professional areas, with the goal of restoring losses caused by addiction and reintegrating individuals into society. We will continue on our path with greater strength and energy than ever before."

14 Million Students Raised Awareness Against Addictions Every Year

Prevention, advocacy and awareness activities are among the most important components of combating addiction. Yeşilay organizes symposiums, conferences, congresses and competitions domestically and internationally, reaching millions of people every year. Through its Turkey Combating Addiction (TBM), Addiction Intervention at School (OBM) and Yeşilay Life Skills (YYB) programs implemented as part of scientific and evidence-based awareness activities, Yeşilay raises awareness of approximately 14 million students and 3 million adults against addictions every year. It produces psychosocial solutions to prevent tendencies from turning into addiction in at-risk students.

YEDAM Changes Lives

Yeşilay, through 107 Yeşilay Counseling Centers (YEDAM) established in 81 provinces and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, provides completely free outpatient treatment services with expert staff to individuals seeking to overcome harmful habits such as alcohol, tobacco, substance, gambling and intensive technology use. People can reach YEDAM from anywhere in Turkey through 115 consultation lines. The purpose of YEDAM is to reintegrate clients seeking to overcome their addictions into life, provide necessary social support in the process of adapting to social life while improving quality of life as they continue their daily activities, and encourage the individual to remain clean.

1 Million 110 Thousand 352 Calls to YEDAM 115 Line

YEDAM, in cooperation with clinical psychologists and social work specialists on its staff, provides free psychosocial support services to individuals and families seeking to overcome their addictions. Since its establishment, YEDAM has received 1 million 110 thousand 352 calls through 115 call centers. YEDAM staff provided one-on-one consultations with 285 thousand 560 people. The number of initial application services was 58 thousand 316 people. The number of people receiving social support services reached 115 thousand 243 people. While providing psychosocial support, Yeşilay also organized 3 thousand 747 social events. Additionally, through cooperation with the Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR), it facilitated job placement for 194 people so they could establish new and regular lives.

Standing Beside Everyone in the Fight Against Addiction

To date, 15,975 people have applied to YEDAM for tobacco/cigarette addiction, and 22,136 people for alcohol and substance addiction. While 10,400 people applied for gambling addiction, the number of people applying for technology addiction was 2,319. The number of families applying to Yeşilay Counseling Centers reached a total of 20,683. Rehabilitation Centers, Standing Beside Those Wanting to Turn a Clean Page in Their Lives Yeşilay provides free inpatient treatment services at its 40-bed Rehabilitation Centers in Bursa and Diyarbakır to clients using alcohol or substances. Yeşilay opens the doors to a clean life for its clients, becoming a ray of hope for both them and their families.