Gede Foundation and ‘Health Reporters’

‘Health Reporters’ is a non profit initiative with the sole aim of raising the visibility of health issues in the media, both within Nigeria and further afield. Recently, the editor of the online Journal asked Gede to contribute a piece focusing on the reasons why mental health should be included in the forthcoming Sustainable Development Targets. The article, written by the Foundation’s Managing Director, can be seen at -http://healthreporters.info/2014/10/09/why-should-mental-health-targets-
be-included-in-sustainable-development-goals/

Following this well received article, Gede has been asked to write another piece on the ways in which common mental disorders (anxiety, depression and substance abuse) can be integrated into HIV-AIDS care and support regimes, with a particular focus on the role of Adherence Counsellors. Watch this space, or go to the Health Reporter’s website to source this article when it appears.

World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health.

The day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.
Gede Foundation joined the rest of the world to mark this day by raising awareness and addressing stigma that is associated with mental health through 1) experience sharing from those who recovered from mental illnesses and 2) community drama at Dutse Community in the Federal Capital Territory.

The Dutse community village head, Chief Haruna Gyandawe, led his constituency to partake in this event which was put together by Gede Foundation in partnership with Dutse Community support group. This is one of the series of community awareness raising activities on mental health and avenues to create community support network against stigma and discrimination.

Preliminary Activities on HIV-AIDS Funds (HAF)-2 Grant

HIV prevalence rate among the adult population in Nigeria is high with an estimated 3.3 million people infected with the virus within 15-49 age bracket (2012 est.)

Gede Foundation is contributing to the reduction of HIV infection in the South West Zone of Nigeria though HIV prevention activities among adults in Ibadan West and North of Oyo State. Advocacy and familiarization tours carried out recently in two LGAs were aimed at preparing the community to support the implementation ofHAF-2 activities.

In partnership with the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) and Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS, a total of 3,000 adults are expected to be reached with minimum prevention package intervention (MPPI) in the two LGAs before the end of 2015.
For more information, contact poshadami@gedefoundation.org

31st International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, Abuja

Today (September 25th) marks the ‘Light a Candle Day’ coordinated by our friends at the Network of People Living With HIV-AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) – a special day on which we all remember those who have lost their lives to HIV-AIDS. Gede also acknowledges the work we are doing with NEPWHAN which focuses on advocating for common mental disorders (anxiety, depression and substance (including alcohol) abuse) to be included in HIV-AIDS care and support regimes. As evidence shows, if care and support does not include these mental health conditions, then people living positively are being given health care which is nowhere near as effective as it should be. Please return to Gede’s webpage regularly to check on what we are doing to ensure that people living positively are able to access their right to appropriate health care – John Minto jminto@gedefoundation.org

Mental Health Awareness Session at the Defense Medical Centre, Abuja

People with physical health conditions are at risk of developing poor mental health especially patient with chronic diseases. On September 15, 2014, Gede Foundation was at the Defense Medical Centre, Abuja to create awareness on mental health to patients accessing prenatal and maternity care, HIV counseling, HIV testing and treatment, and other medical care services at the clinic.

Patients at the session expressed concern at the barriers in managing common mental disorders (depression, anxiety and substance abuse), for newly diagnosed HIV patients. These barriers include stigma and a wide range of misconceptions surround HIV infection and mental health disorders.

Explanations were offered by the medical team from Gede Foundation to address those misconceptions and participants were encouraged to seek medical help promptly, talk to someone, join a support group, adhere to medication, observe good nutrition and engage in hopeful activities such games and exercise. Contact Ekaette Udoekong (eudoekong@gedefoundation.org) for further information.

Gede Foundation and the 2014 Global Mental Health: Research and Action Summer School

John Minto (Managing Director) and Cynthia Ticao (International Development and Donor Specialist) of the Gede Foundation attended the Global Mental Health: Research and Action Summer School run by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London (through the Global Centre for Mental Health) from September 8-11. Gede took the opportunity to mix with many of the world’s leading global mental health figures and was able to inform a wide ranging audience about the Foundation’s growing focus on researching the links between HIV-AIDS and mental health (and the advocacy and policy development work which naturally spring from this). The Summer School resulted in a number of options regarding future collaborations between Gede and internationally recognised agencies and also saw the formal book launch (attended by the authors and the Director of the Wellcome Trust) of ‘Global Mental Health Trials’ (Thornicroft and Patel, eds.)

Mental Health Awareness Session With OVC in Kabussa Community, Abuja

On September 3, 2014, the Gede team visited Kabussa Community (15 kilometers from Abuja City) to meet with the beneficiaries of the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Programme that was started in 2011 in partnership with Addax & Oryx Foundation. Gede Foundation shared information on the significant role of mental health in coping with the challenges of orphanhood.

Twenty nine (29) orphans out of the total 405 beneficiaries  shared their experiences on stigma and depression as a result of losing their parents to AIDS and other causes. Some of them have become heads of their households and are being trained for income-generating skills; others are enrolled in regular secondary school.

AIDS orphans are more likely to suffer emotional stress, depression, and stigma from circumstances surrounding their parents’ death. Gede Foundation strives to build their ability to live productive lives through education , counseling, and learning of life skills. More sessions on mental health will be held in other project-supported communities.

For more information on the OVC Programme, contact Godwin Etim (godwin@gedefoundation.org)

Mental Health Coalition Nigeria

On May 22, 2014, twelve civil society organizations met to discuss the “Implications of the National Policy on Mental Health Services Delivery” and the role of CSOs in promoting its implementation. A second meeting was held on the 19th August 2014 to discuss the next steps in addressing mental health issues in Nigeria.

The group agreed to form a coalition that will advocate for accessible and quality treatment services, reduce stigma through awareness and education, conduct research, and push for policy implementation. Representatives from Civil Society Organizations attended and participated in the deliberations and set criteria for membership.

The coalition, now known as “Mental Health Coalition Nigeria”, calls on all groups and professional associations interested in promoting mental health, addressing mental health issues, and advocating for the rights of people with mental health problems to join the coalition.

Please contact Godwin Etim of Gede Foundation (godwin@gedefoundation.org) for more information.

International Youth Day Commemoration held at May Gray Hotels Ltd Nyanya, Abuja on 12th August, 2014

August 12 is International Youth Day. It is celebrated every year by youth groups around the world with activities that showcase their positive contribution to their communities. Gede Foundation participated in this year’s theme, “Youth and Mental Health”, by joining Activista Nigeria (ActionAid Nigeria) and Parents Against Drug Abuse (PADA) in an interactive session to discuss Activista Nigeria’s campaign against discrimination/stigmatization of youth living with mental health issues. Youth recovering from substance abuse disorders shared their experiences on their dependence on prohibited drugs, how they were able to overcome it, and how they are able to live productive lives now.

Participants agreed to raise awareness on the importance of mental health in their communities and establish a peer support network to assist those in need.

Get involved in raising awareness about mental health!! Contact Ekaette Udoekong at eudoekong@gedefoundation.org

Interactive Session with Herbal Medical Practitioners on Mental Health

“Activities and services of the Herbal Medical Practitioners in Nigeria are not recognized and given attention by government in terms of credibility, even though we treat various illnesses including mental health problems ”Dr. Obalola Aremu, President Herbal Mental Practitioners – FCT Chapter. Stakeholders such as PPFN, ActionAid Nigeria, NINERERA+, Ummah Support Initiative, NEPHWAN, MSA, CACA, Defense Medical Center, TB Network, and Herbal Medical Practitioners assembled on 24th July, 2014  at Gede Foundation to participate in a discussion on the perspective of the Herbal Medical Practitioners on mental health service delivery. This was our first in the series of dialogues and was an informative and interactive session. The Herbal Medical Practitioners shared their perceptions, practices and challenges. Key in their service delivery of mental health is the fact that clients with mental health problems were no longer subjected to mishandling (such as chaining and beating especially violent clients) as used to be the practice. Issues identified as challenges in the Herbal Medical Practitioners’ practice were no standard guideline of practice, non-uniformity in service delivery especially in area of treatment, stigmatization of persons practicing herbal medicine and poorly organized structure of this group of providers. These issues were seen to affect their deliveries in mental health and other health burdens. Some of the feedback from participants on these challenges were, understanding what the National Policy on Mental Health Service Delivery in Nigeria recommends for Herbal Medicine Practitioners to have a systematic structure, establish linkage with other stakeholders for training on best practice and having a more harmonized methods of delivering their services. The meeting allowed participants to have an idea of practice of the Herbal Medical Practitioners. For more information mail Ekaette Udoekong on eudoekong@gedefoundation.org