TIME TO CHANGE GLOBAL AND PARTNERS LAUNCHED MH ANTI-STIGMA KIT

On September 3rd, 2020, Gede Foundation, along with partners Time to Change Global (TTCG), Christian Blind Mission (CBM), Mental Health Society of Ghana (MEHSOG), BasicNeeds Basic Rights Kenya (BNBR), Mental Health Uganda (MHU) and GASS (India), launched an anti-stigma toolkit. 

The toolkit was designed to show what stigma looks like in the 5 countries where the project was being carried out (Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, India and Ghana). It is also a way to share some tools, materials, ideas and approaches that were used to tackle stigma and discrimination throughout the project. Among the ways were having one-on-one conversations. This is where someone with a lived experience of mental health problems would share the story with another individual who is presumed to not have that experience. During this conversation, the person with a lived experience would disclose their experience and share some of their stories. This was shown to reduce stigma and discrimination by changing people’s minds and attitudes. To do this, it was important to choose the right audiences as well as have the right messages.

Another way was through what is called, “social marketing”. Some of the work done can be viewed here. Champions shared their stories in 1-2 minutes and this was promoted in a campaign called, ‘it could be you, so be more kind’.  

With the toolkit, we hope that organisations, individuals  and the society at large can draw from the experiences and stories shared and press on to reducing stigma and discrimination towards mental health problems. 

Gede thanks its Board of Directors and its Founder, Barrister Jennifer Douglas-Abubakar for huge contributions and support that has helped in making all of this possible.

To stay updated, follow us on social media - on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and please return to the blog for updates! 

Below are some pictures of the brave champions who shared their stories!

Gede Conducts mhGAP Training to Healthcare Workers

A Training of Trainers Workshop was organised by Gede in Keffi, Nasarawa State from the 13th to 19th July, 2020. Eight Trainers and Supervisors(Psychiatrists and Clinical Psychologists) were certified, and will be engaged in the delivery of Community Mental Health and Development Programme through the North Central Transitional Aid in Nigeria Project. The Project will be implemented in Nasarawa and Plateau States in the next 3 years. This Training is to empower the Trainers and Supervisors to train 150 Community Health Extension Workers(CHEWs) in the 2 States and provide supportive supervision mental health services are implemented at the Primary Healthcare Centres. It is expected that over 15000 persons will be reached with mental health services across 8 local government areas in both States. Kindly visit the site for more updates.

This event was made possible through the huge contributions and support from Gede Foundation’s Board of Directors led by its Founder, Barrister Jennifer Douglas-Abubakar.

Below are some pictures from the event.

Gede Participates in #ShareInspireAct Learning Event

Gede Foundation was one of the five  organisations that participated  in the #ShareInspireAct learning event that took place in Nairobi, Kenya  between the 10th and 14th February 2019.

The event was organised by Time to Change Global (TTCG) and Christian Blind Mission (CBM UK).

Gede - Nigeria, BasicNeeds Basic Rights Kenya, GASS - India, Mental Health Society of Ghana and Mental Health Uganda are organisations in 5 countries that have been running anti stigma campaigns since 2019. These campaigns have been targeted at reducing/eliminating the stigma that is related to mental health problems. The learning event in was to create a platform where countries can share their experiences within the project and learn ways to improve in approaches to meet the overall programme objective. 

The 5-day event drew 75 participants including TTCG Staff, CBM Staff, Champions (people with lived experience), Project Coordinators, NGO partners, civil society groups, members of Kenyan Parliament, government officials, donor agencies and the media under one ‘roof’ to interact and  sufficiently explore ways to address stigma associated with mental health problems across regions.

Different sessions were held to better understand how to effectively target and reach many audiences. For two days, there were external sessions that featured key stakeholders in Kenya including psychiatrists, senators, and others with lived experience. The external team was treated to activities that the five countries have implemented in 2019—this included a mini social contact event - where people with lived experience of mental health problems have one-on-one conversation with people who have not had this experience.

Champions and Project Coordinators played key roles in delivering sessions at the event. They participated in panel discussions on ‘advocating for mental health’, ‘stigma and discrimination’ and ‘social contact’. The sessions provided more insights on ways to engage with the audience at social contacts and, specifically, how to deal with many challenges faced by people with mental health problems. A session on ‘social marketing’ showed the external and internal team the number of people reached in countries where social marketing has been concluded. 

Overall, the learning event was wonderfully curated and met all expected outcomes.

We look forward to implementing the lessons and take part in reducing stigma towards mental health problems! 

Please continue to visit the blog for more updates! Be sure to check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Gede thanks its Board of Directors and its Founder, Barrister Jennifer Douglas-Abubakar for huge contributions and support that has helped in making all of this possible.

International Christian group brings hope to IDPs in North Central

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

The Christian Blind Mission, CBM, a disability inclusive organization has launched the Transitional Aid project in Nigeria to improve the health situation in conflict affected communities in the North Central zone of the country with special focus on women and people living with disabilities. The project whose aim is to strengthen the resilience of conflict affected communities and internally displaced persons with attention towards disability inclusion in three North Central States of Plateau, Benue and Nassarawa would be achieved by establishing inclusive health, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH services and income generating activities.

David Sabo of CBM, who gave the breakdown of the project during its launching in Jos said there are planned impacts which the project is expected to create among benefiting communities.

He disclosed that the project would be implemented through four partners, Center for Gospel Health and Development, CeGHaD, Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA, Gede Foundation and the Universal Reformed Christian Church, NKST.

He said, “The objective of the project is to ensure that the target group have access to qualitative and inclusive health services, household in the communities have access to inclusive WASH services and particularly, vulnerable households in communities have increased their sources of income through the formation of saving groups

“ECWA will lead the implementation of the vesicovaginal fistula activities in the three States and provide its expertise on eye health in Plateau and Nasarawa States while NKST will provide its expertise and services on eye health in Benue. The provision of psychosocial services in Plateau and Nasarawa will be managed by Gede Foundation. “The organization will also be responsible for the WASH and livelihood components in Benue. CeGHaD will deal with WASH and livelihoods in Plateau and Nasarawa States.” He lamented the increase in number of internally displaced persons due to recurring violent conflicts in the region stressing such in having adverse effects on the precarious WASH facilities in communities. One of the implementing partners, Nancy Onu of CeGHaD expressed joy at the intervention saying it would go a long way in mitigating the challenges faced by displaced persons.

Culled from Vanguard

Mental Health Around The World

BY KATHRYN WHEELER

We speak to six people from across the globe about their personal experiences with mental health, the options that are available to them, and the goals they are working towards

No matter where we’re from or what we do, mental illness has the potential to touch us and our loved ones throughout our lives. According to the Global Burden of Disease, 13% of the global population lives with a mental disorder – that’s approximately 971 million people.

It’s something that unites us across borders, but no one person’s experience with mental health will be the same as another’s – and that’s especially true when we consider how the levels of support and stigma varies so drastically around the world.

It’s time to escape our respective bubbles and get a fresh perspective on the state of mental health care across the continents. Here, we speak to six people from around the world to find out about their personal experiences, and to learn more about what it really means to live with mental illness in 2020.

Anita in Nigeria

“My experience with mental health issues has been tough and sad – having family and friends not accept me for who I am during crisis, and an identity where I am seen as a ‘mad’ and ‘possessed’ human being,” Anita Ikwue explains.

For Anita, being open about her mental health came with challenges from those in her family and her wider community.

“Most of them are hearing something like this for the first time, and usually have a negative impression of mental health problems,” she says. “Some would be interested to know more about mental health. Others would say terrible things like ‘mad people’. For me, this means people are speaking from an ignorant angle, and they just need to be more educated.”

David in Sweden

David Brudö has experienced bouts of depression since his teens, but it wasn’t until later in life – when things became unbearable – that he decided to reach out for help. David notes how, in recent years, more people in Sweden have been willing to talk about mental health openly – yet he still feared colleagues and family would view him as “weak”.

“While people are more willing to speak about, for example, stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness, mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are still not spoken about as openly,” David explains. “But it’s not unusual to see Nordic countries topping the World Happiness Report. And while Sweden has historically been concerned with one of the highest suicide rates since the 1960s, it now has one of the lowest suicide rates in the world.”

As way of explaining these stats, David points to the introduction of the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team – a dedicated mental health care ambulance that is being piloted in Stockholm – as well as Swedish values such as ‘fika’ which is a midday pause to socialise with friends and colleagues, and ‘friluftsliv’, the value of spending time outdoors.

Today, David is the CEO and co-founder of mental health and self-development app Remente, and he sees prevention rather than treatment as the key to better overall health.

“We will not be able to solve all mental health issues overnight, but it is important to make sure that all walks of life are provided with the right attention and support, to ensure that we continue to see the numbers of suicides decrease, and happiness rates increase.”

Please read more here

GEDE AT LAFARGE AFRICA PLC AND MFAMOSING COMMUNITY DAY

LAFARGE AFRICA PLC through its Cooperate Social Responsibility initiative engaged Gede to coordinate its empowerment programme in Cross River State. This initiative is aimed at providing opportunities to the youths in rural communities to access education and life skills in order to lay foundations for productive lives. On 29th November, a Community Day at Mfamosing was organised (a community where LAFARGE Cement Plant is located), to provide a platform for i) partners to interact with beneficiaries and showcase their various achievements in the course of their engagements with LAFARGE, ii) communities to evaluate the impact of interventions, and, iii) government to present its commitment in promoting human capital development within the region.

The event was attended by the Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, LAFARGE key Staff led by the Plant Manager, Royal Fathers from the host communities, Cross River State Police Commissioner, State Ministry of Education, State Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Development Partners, National Youth Service Corps, Community Groups and Beneficiaries.  

At the event, Gede highlighted its achievements for the past three years, coordinating LAFARGE’S community based project, which aims to promote sustainable development, through educational support and life skills empowerment to hundreds of young people in 10 rural communities in Cross River State. Students supported through the scholarship programme recorded impressive academic performances both at the Secondary School Council Examinations and Universities. The best students in both categories were awarded with laptops and other prizes.

Some schools where beneficiaries are enrolled showcased creativity challenge among the students in developing science projects on innovations and/or inventions that could contribute to addressing environmental pollution.

The event ended with commitments from all parties to sustain the development patterns that are seen as holistic in providing roadmap for sustainable developments in these communities. 

LAFARGE AFRICAN PLC offered goodwill messages to the Management and Staff of Gede Foundation for the smooth partnership engagement that has been witnessed among relevant stakeholders in the course of implementing the community projects. 

GEDE EXPANDS PROGRAMMES TO STATES IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

Starting January 2020, Gede will be expanding its programmes to   Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa States in North Central Nigeria. Gede, along   with 4 other local partners received an award in October 2019 through the Christoffel Blindenmission (CBM) and German Cooperation to jointly implement an all-inclusive health and livelihood interventions within the region, through the North-Central Transitional Aid in Nigeria (NoCTRAIN) Programme in the next 3 years. Gede will focus on Community Mental Health, Village Savings and Loans (VSLA), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in 15 LGAs in the region.

The overall goal is to improve access to health services, strengthen resilience, and contribute  to the reduction of disabilities and mortality in Benue, Nassarawa and Plateau states through these main result areas:  i) increased access to specialized health services: mental health, eye health and female genital fistula, and , ii) improved provision of inclusive basic facilities in target communities. Specific target groups are i) vulnerable populations, ii) internally displaced persons, and, iii) persons with disabilities,

 It is expected that  within  the first 3 years,   70% of the target population including persons with disabilities in the selections locations will report access to  Mental Health, Female Genital Fistula, Eye Health and WASH services that is available, accessible, affordable and safe for all.

Gede’s Board of Directors through the Founder Jennifer Douglas Abubakar is providing the needed support to ensure the project meets the expected outcomes.

COMIC RELIEF VISITS GEDE FOUNDATION AND THE LEPROSY MISSION IN NIGERIA

On Wednesday, October 30 2019, Gede and The Leprosy Mission Nigeria (TLMN) played host to Vanessa Thomas from Comic Relief, UK. The meeting was to provide an opportunity for Vanessa to interact with the two organizations and their beneficiaries in Abuja.

Gede and TLMN are exploring partnership opportunities into the integration of mental health services with treatment and care for leprosy and lymphatic filariasis.

The Team visited one of Gede’s project sites in Mpape Community, where they met with people living with mental health problems from the self-help group, mental health Champions and Staff of the Primary Healthcare Centre. Gede’s Community Mental Health and Development Programme is collaborating with the Primary Healthcare Centre in Mpape  to treat minor mental health cases,  and  also refer those that require advanced  care to  Karu Behavioral Medicine Unit.    

It is hoped that the visit will secure funding possibilities,  resulting from available information from both organizations, on the gaps between mental health and the burdens of leprosy and lymphatic filariasis in Nigeria.

Gede Foundation’s Board of Directors led by our Founder, Barrister Jennifer Douglas-Abubakar are tirelessly supporting Gede’s efforts in expanding its partnership’s portfolio.

Visit this blog for more updates on Gede’s events!

Gede Foundation in the News

A group of 20 women and men who have experienced mental health problems shared their experiences after a road walk to commemorate the 2019 World Mental Health Day as part of efforts to tackle stigmatization. The mental health champions, as they were called, said they are now advocates of mental health to help people tackle the problem through their experiences.

They spoke at a programme organized by Gede Foundation in conjunction with Karu Behavioural Medicine Unit with support Time to Change Global and Christian Blind Mission, at the weekend.

They spoke about their experiences of mental health problems such as depression and bipolar, and challenged myths surrounding the issue of mental health problem while also helping people change the way they think about the disease.

The Medical Director, Karu General Hospital, Dr Marcus Mamman, said, this year’s theme focuses on suicide prevention to help create awareness so that people will know the causes and how to handle it. He said suicide often happens as a result of depression, stressing that recently it has gone up and there is the need to look into how to tackle it. “But with the awareness we have started, it will help people to know that mental health issue is real and there are things that may likely cause people to have suicidal thoughts. We need to educate the people because it can happen to anybody no matter your status and class,” he said.

Dr Mamman said although the issue of stigmatisation is still prevalent, the awareness is to make people know that mental health problem is just like any other ailment and it is not an infectious diseases.

Culled from Daily Trust

GEDE MARKS WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

On Thursday, October 10 2019, Gede Foundation joined the world in marking this year’s World Mental Health Day. The theme for this year’s event is “Suicide Prevention’. Gede partnered with Christian Blind Mission (CBM), Karu Behaviour Medicine Unit (KBMU) and Time To Change Global (TTCG) to raise awareness on suicide and ways it could be prevented. The three activities were i) sensitization through road walk, ii) symposium on ‘causes, signs and prevention of suicide’ at Karu Hospital and, iii)social contact event. 

During the road walk, the team including Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatric Nurses, Social Workers, Laboratory Scientists and Mental Health Champions) went through streets in Karu with information, education and communication (IEC) materials (flyers, hand-bans, posters and banners) to raise awareness on suicide and mobilize people to participate at the symposium.

At the symposium, mental health specialists educated participants on the various causes, signs and preventive measures for suicide—the major cause being depression This was followed by a session to address various myths and misconceptions surrounding suicide. Some participants shared their stories on how they overcame suicidal thoughts and attempts. 

Mental health stigma was addressed through the social contact event by Mental Health Champions at the venue. Champions shared their mental health experience with those without mental experience of mental health problems. The event gained media exposure both in Newspapers and Television. The next social contact event is coming up on Saturday, October 26, at the District Head’s Palace in Mararaba, opposite Nasarawa State Geographical Information System (NAGIS) Office, Mararaba at 10am.

This event was made possible through the huge contributions and support from Gede Foundation’s Board of Directors led by its Founder, Barrister Jennifer Douglas-Abubakar.