This idea is well stated and the passion of the entry's author is clear. Developing peer support among sufferers of mental illness and empowering consumers of mental health services to advocate for accessibility and affordability of such services are both valuable strategies. I would like to know (I did not see and will read the entry again to learn) what local community, government and private entities have been, or will be approached, to support these efforts.
Thank you for this very important comment. This project will not be conducted by USPKenya in isolation but will be accomplished in partnership with other like minded organizations. Two organizations are especially going to play a major role in the success of this project. The first one is Basin Needs UK in Kenya, an international NGO that has worked in partnership with USPKenya since the latter was registered two years ago. Basic Needs is an organization whose vision is that the basic needs of all people with mental disorders throughout the world are satisfied and their basic rights are recognized and respected. Basic Needs has demonstrated success in empowering people with mental disorders to live fulfiling lives in the community. USPKenya has engaged in a successful psycho education project in Nairobi, Kenya in partnership with Basic Needs.Another partner that will work with USPKenya on the project is Schizophrenia Foundation of Kenya. Schizophrenia Foundation of Kenya whose slogan of families as partners in care has been the guiding factor in their operations, has track record in training, especially care givers in providing a safe environment for people with mental disorders to live in. USPKenya has had a very good working relationship with Schizoprenia Foundation of Kenya and intends to continue the partnership in the future projects especially in capacity building and training.In Kenya there is no government funding available for mental health outside government departments. However, USPKenya does partner with the government in activities that don't require government funding such as planning for and celebrating the World Mental Health Day, which is an activity that raises awareness about mental health. Partnership with other organizations such as the World Health Organization cannot be ruled out.
This is a great entry for a great program idea - to get people sharing their experiences with mental health in Kenya. Sharing personal experiences is key to reducing stigma. I particularly like that the program involves first sharing your story within a peer support group and then beginning to share with broader audiences. I know that it can be challenging and takes practice to effectively tell your mental health story. Providing participants with a chance to do so within a peer support group before sharing with the wider community through church gatherings, community events, etc. is a very strong aspect of this program.
There is widespread misunderstanding about mental health issues in Kenya. The natural thing to do is to hide cases of mental illness and pretend that they do not exist. When people who are affected by mental illnesses share their stories, it is very effective in creating awareness and fighting stigma. There are people who have visited clinics to be assessed for mental illness after hearing such stories. Others have taken loved ones to the clinic, who were otherwise being hidden at home. Conditions of people with mental illness diagnosis have also been found to improve once they are able to acknowledge their conditions and speak about them.
Comments
This idea is well stated and the passion of the entry's author is clear. Developing peer support among sufferers of mental illness and empowering consumers of mental health services to advocate for accessibility and affordability of such services are both valuable strategies. I would like to know (I did not see and will read the entry again to learn) what local community, government and private entities have been, or will be approached, to support these efforts.
Thank you for this very important comment. This project will not be conducted by USPKenya in isolation but will be accomplished in partnership with other like minded organizations. Two organizations are especially going to play a major role in the success of this project. The first one is Basin Needs UK in Kenya, an international NGO that has worked in partnership with USPKenya since the latter was registered two years ago. Basic Needs is an organization whose vision is that the basic needs of all people with mental disorders throughout the world are satisfied and their basic rights are recognized and respected. Basic Needs has demonstrated success in empowering people with mental disorders to live fulfiling lives in the community. USPKenya has engaged in a successful psycho education project in Nairobi, Kenya in partnership with Basic Needs.Another partner that will work with USPKenya on the project is Schizophrenia Foundation of Kenya. Schizophrenia Foundation of Kenya whose slogan of families as partners in care has been the guiding factor in their operations, has track record in training, especially care givers in providing a safe environment for people with mental disorders to live in. USPKenya has had a very good working relationship with Schizoprenia Foundation of Kenya and intends to continue the partnership in the future projects especially in capacity building and training.In Kenya there is no government funding available for mental health outside government departments. However, USPKenya does partner with the government in activities that don't require government funding such as planning for and celebrating the World Mental Health Day, which is an activity that raises awareness about mental health. Partnership with other organizations such as the World Health Organization cannot be ruled out.
This is a great entry for a great program idea - to get people sharing their experiences with mental health in Kenya. Sharing personal experiences is key to reducing stigma. I particularly like that the program involves first sharing your story within a peer support group and then beginning to share with broader audiences. I know that it can be challenging and takes practice to effectively tell your mental health story. Providing participants with a chance to do so within a peer support group before sharing with the wider community through church gatherings, community events, etc. is a very strong aspect of this program.
There is widespread misunderstanding about mental health issues in Kenya. The natural thing to do is to hide cases of mental illness and pretend that they do not exist. When people who are affected by mental illnesses share their stories, it is very effective in creating awareness and fighting stigma. There are people who have visited clinics to be assessed for mental illness after hearing such stories. Others have taken loved ones to the clinic, who were otherwise being hidden at home. Conditions of people with mental illness diagnosis have also been found to improve once they are able to acknowledge their conditions and speak about them.