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One woman’s fight against stigma
Too often, people living in poverty with mental illness are seen as broken, cursed or somehow less than human. And misunderstanding, stigma and exclusion pulls whole families deeper into poverty.
One example of such stigma is in Ghana, West Africa, where it’s not uncommon for family and community members to refuse to drink or eat from crockery that has been used by people living with mental health conditions, believing they will catch something. CBM has been working with a local partner organisation, BasicNeeds Ghana, to establish self-help groups to offer support, build confidence and provide training in advocacy and public speaking.
Aisha suffered from severe depression for fifteen years and sought treatment from traditional healers without any success. After recovering, thanks to CBM’s programme, Aisha received training and now uses her experience, skills and expertise to help her community to understand mental health and the best way to support people with mental illness.
Thanks to CBM supporters, this life-changing project for people living in poverty with mental illness, their families and communities, is relieving suffering and providing hope and opportunity.
Find out more about our mental health work in Ghana (open link in new tab).
This project in Ghana is funded by Jersey Overseas Aid, the Headley Trust and the UK government through their Aid Direct programme.
Images: Top – Mental health support group in Ghana for new and expectant mothers. Bottom – Aisha talking to new and expectant mother’s about mental illness.