Mental Health Support Response and Management Project
Protecting and empowering persons with disabilities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
The CORONA Virus has created a negative impact on our lives and livelihoods. Fear, anxiety, bitterness, anger, isolation, loneliness, and neglect have created tremendous stress on human psychology. Someone has lost a beloved one or seen someone else die. From this situation, insomnia, reluctance, conflict, fatigue, illness, etc., are created in people’s mental health. As a result, there is a risk of mental imbalance. Mental Health Support Response and Management Project was undertaken to identify and target people in this situation.
Name of Project: Mental Health Support Response and Management Project
Project start: 1 July 2021 to 31 December 2022.
Partner: Center for Disability in Development (CDD)
Implemented by : SANGRAM (Sangathita Gramunnyan Karmasuchi)
Objective
To promote integrated community-based mental health care for persons with disabilities in Bangladesh in the context of COVID-19.
Work area
Tiakhali, Mithaganj and Baliatli Union of Kalapara Upazila of Patuakhali District.
Human resources
1 coordinator, 2 peer responders.
Participant
Psychosis and Neurosis mentally ill persons in the working area.
Activities
Identifying mentally ill people through FGDs and door-to-door visits to include them in this program. Determining the severity of mental illness. Organizing mental illness camps considering necessary conditions. Providing telemedicine support or referral to a psychiatrist as appropriate.
Achievements
House visited 1098. FGD conducted 38. 689 women/girls, 528 men/boys, total 1217 people participated in FGD. 61 mentally ill persons were identified through the home visit and FGD. Organized 16 courtyard meetings. 48 persons were assisted through Mental Illness Camp. 12 persons were referred to Sher-E-Bangla Medical College and Hospital, Barishal, for higher treatment. Telemedicine support to 61 people. Medicines were provided by the organization 11 people. 22 persons recovered during the project period.
Project Results
- Development of multi-faceted integrated services under the project for persons with disabilities in need of mental health and psychosocial support at the community level.
- Capacity building of OPDs and DSOs to ensure integrated mental health and psychosocial support for persons with disabilities at the community level.
- Integrating socio-psychological mental health and psychosocial support into government policy and action planning.
The Mental Health Support Response and Management initiative under the “Protecting and Empowering Persons with Disabilities in the Context of the Covid-19 Pandemic” project aims to provide psycho-social support to some people in a community to improve their mental health and create a positive outlook. There is a need to extend such activities to all levels of society.
