Mental Health Sensitization Workshop

On Wednesday, the 5th of October 2017, PAHCCDI Nigeria was pleased to receive the following staff from Federal Psychiatric Hospital Calabar, under the umbrella of Mental Health Alliance who came to conduct a sensitization workshop on Mental Health in the organization; 
[i.] Mrs. Blessing Ina – Hospital Matron and Program Director, Mental Health Alliance
[ii.] Dr. Franklin Ifeanyi Eleazu Scurty – Psychiatrist
[iii.] Mr. Asu Obase – Psychologist
[iv.] Mr. Asuquo Okon – Psychologist
[v.] Mr. Asuquo Etim - Member
[vi.] Mr. Esang Moses Esang - Member

Lead Facilitator, Mrs. Blessing Ina anchoring the first segment

Also in attendance were the Executive Director and other staff of PAHCCDI Nigeria. A total of 24 person participated in the sensitization workshop.

The Sensitization Workshop was done during the Mental Health Week which ran from 3rd to 10th October 2017 as part of the activities carried out to mark the 2017 World Mental Health Day, with the theme: ‘’Mental Health in the Workplace.’’
 

Anchoring the first segment was the Program Director, Mrs. Ina Blessing who started by defining the terms associating with mental health and also dismissed certain myths and misconceptions widely held by people about mental health. Such myths according to the Program Director include but not limited to claims that (a) mental health problems are a sign of weakness, (b) mental therapy is a waste of time, (c) it is not possible to prevent mental illness, (d) people with mental illness lack intelligence, (e) mental illness is spiritual / caused by evil spirit / ’ogbanje,’ (f) mentally ill people are violent / criminals, etc.

The Program Director went further to explain cases that may require persons to undergo mental evaluation such as; (a) feeling of sadness, (b) feeling of anxiety, (c) inability to sleep well, (d) having addiction to drugs, (e) losing appetite, (f) inability to cope with co-workers, etc.

The next facilitator, Dr. Franklin Friday Eleazu Scurty threw more lights on the myths and misconceptions of mental health. While sighting examples using the mentally derailed people that roam about the streets, he encouraged all to take up the responsibility for vigilance, peer education and referrals. More so, Dr. Eleazu, shared the success story of his colleague who went about the street treating mentally derailed individuals who has been rejected and written off by their families and how he was able to achieve tremendous success, even to the extent of reintegrating these individuals back to the society and reuniting them with their families.

Question and answer session
Opening the floor was Mrs. Okim Precious, she asked to know if mental illness is hereditary. Dr. Eleazu answered this question by explaining that there are three factors that can cause mental illness; these factors are biological, psychological and environmental. Most times all or at least more than one of them must come to play before an individual becomes mentally derailed.

The second question was asked by Mr. Chinedu Okoye, he asked about the role of early detection in mental illness. In answering the question Dr. Eleazu likened mental illness to physical machete cut, he said that early treatment of machete injuries can reduce or even eliminate the scar left behind as a result of the cut. In the same vein, mental illness if treated early will ensure lasting cure free of ‘’scars.’’ He went on to say that mental illness is caused by imbalance of chemicals in the brain. Alcohol and other addictive drugs like cannabis. He also adds that specific drugs and psychotherapy can gradually reverse this injury.

Dr. Eleazu responding to some key questions

Miss Kaka asked about a friend of hers who was displaying some signs which she demonstrated, she was told that the said signs are pointers, but the person in question has to visit the hospital so that proper diagnosis and treatment can be established.

Miss Cecilia Odu asked the team if there is a rehabilitation facility in the hospital and she was informed that they have a Rehabilitation Centre in the hospital.

Finally, Miss Christiana Ita asked to know if sleep-walking is part of mental illness, she was told that it is medically called insomnia and could be very severe or even life threatening, it can be caused by a variety of factors, therefore individuals with such symptoms should seek medical help.
 

Group photograph

 Highlights of the workshop was presentation of customized Mental Health Alliance T-Shirt and Face Cap, there was also group photographs with the team and all participants after which a vote of thanks was given by the Executive Director of PAHCCDI Nigeria, Dr. (Mrs.) Christy Obono.

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Reaching out to the Calabar Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) through the Innovative Birthday Approach

PAHCCDI is currently implementing a self funded OVC intervention. These OVC are children of the key population, - Female Sex Workers (FSW), High Risk Men (HRM) and Injecting drug Users (IDU). Imploring an innovative strategy of using the birthday celebrations of her staff to reach to the OVC, PAHCCDI aims to show empathy and bring succour driven by passion and zeal in line with her mission and vision statement.

Celebrants (Mirable and Christabel) pose with PAHCCDI staff and OVC

Taking into cognisance the estimated national population of orphans from all causes which was put at 7 million in 2003, PAHCCDI driven by passion and the desire to serve the marginalized and underserved groups, courageously ventured into the OVC intervention having understood the conducted desk review of the situation of OVC in Nigeria that implicated factors like poverty, socio-cultural constraints, gender inequalities, inadequate policies and enabling environment which has over the years put the rights of the OVC in jeopardy.  PAHCCDI undertook these interventions across Eight thematic areas; Health, Nutrition, Shelter/Care, Education, Psychosocial Support, Protection, Economic Strengthening and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH).

Eme Ita (celebrant) cuts the Cake with the OVC

Undeterred and unimpeded by the lack of funding for these interventions, PAHCCDI developed an innovative approach of using staff birthdays to reach out to the OVC and with support from internally generated funds, PAHCCDI support every staff to celebrate their birthday with the OVC as part of the interventions while providing multiple services on spot, in company of friends and family members.

Since the idea was conceived, PAHCCDI have so far reached the Lemna cohort of Calabar Municipality L.G.A. with these interventions twice, while celebrating the birthday for two of her staff, Miss Eme Ita Sunday on Friday the 22nd day of September, 2017 and Miss Mirabel Enebong Essien who co-celebrated with her twin sister Miss Christabel Enebong Essien on Monday the 2nd of October, 2017.  

Vulnerability Assessment and Enrollment

 We realize the fact that without taking determined steps to address the specific needs of children there will be no chance of meeting the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and having implemented the largely successful SHiPS for MARPs project which targeted the key population and their partners, we felt the need to fill the vacuum created, since the project did not cover interventions for the children of these key populations. 

OVC feasting on the foods, drinks and nutrient supplements

Although what we have done and our achievements so far can be considered to be a drop in the sea of massive deprivation owing to the number of children yet to be reached, however, it still represent; a new dawn for interventions in resource deficient settings like ours, a gateway for funded collaborations, an easy access to intervention expansion and a dependable / sustainable voice & face of OVC response in Cross River State.

Distribution of nutritional supplement packs

 Over 47 (32 females, 15 males) OVCs were captured during the exercise with an average age of 13.21 and average vulnerability rating of 13.68.

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