At our conference it became evident that the pandemic reinforces the deficiencies in health care for people with mental illness that have been prevalent for years. Neglected, repressed, forgotten - mental health is reluctantly addressed in international politics. This is devastating for women who suffer from various forms of violence but also for men who need equally support. Internationally and nationally, there is a need for greater commitment to mental health. This will be an important contribution to transforming existing taboos towards more social openness. And more international and national investment in prevention, treatment and rehabilitation is needed to counteract shame, stigmatisation and discrimination of those affected.
By Fatima Batool
from the World Health Organization (WHO)
The presentation will look at the current status of women’s mental health overall, how COVID-19 has affected it and what can be done about it.
By Valeriu Sava, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) Moldova
Switzerland is supporting Moldova in a systemic reform of the mental health (MH) care system, aimed at bringing MH services closer to users by providing treatment in a community setting.
By Marie Angele Abanga, Lawyer, Author and Psychotherapist, Cameroon Executive and African Regional Representative Global Mental Health Peer Network (GMHPN)
Before the Covid-19 pandemic I had been to hell and back in my 6-year-marriage. The pandemic brought even more terror of domestic and sexual violence in my country.
By Sinikiwe Biyela Life Line, South Africa
South Africa as a country has some resources and systems in place to protect and provide support to the survivors of GBVF. However, all these resources proved to be inadequate or not accessible at all during Covid19 pandemic followed by the national lockdown level 5.
By Simone Lindorfer independent psychosocial consultant, trauma specialist (Austria)
The input will deal with the most common known consequences of compassionate related caring for the well-being of the health professional as well as give an idea on self-care and organizational care as professional obligation.
By Lumumba Mukong Mission 21 Cameroon
This talk aims at sharing the stories of persons who have suffered from Gender Based Violence, within the framework of the ongoing crisis (war) in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon.
To promote mental health care and relieve the strain on health facilities, SolidarMed Zimbabwe supported the roll out of the Friendship Bench initiative in one of the rural districts in Masvingo Province since 2019.
By Ayanda Makayi, MTV Shuga
We’re used to seeing the story of the victim. But we need to understand the story of the perpetrator. We need to look at a solution outside of simple condemnation. Aggressors can only be helped to change if we understand the causes of their violence and employ our empathy.