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.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health Services Reform in Moldova
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.
From despair to hope – How I became a lawyer and psychotherapist for abused women and children in Cameroon
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.
Gender-based Violence and Femicide and Covid19 Combination in South Africa: Women’s Worst Ordeal
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.
Being a Compassionate Witness to the Impact of Violence: Self-care as Professional Obligation
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.
Stories of War. Healing the Wounds of Gender based Violence
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.
Mental Health in Primary Care. A Review of Abuse Reported in Rural Zimbabwe, before and during the COVID-19 Era
by Janneke H. van Dijk, SolidarMed Zimbabwe
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.
Presentation IV
The Reckoning of Sol
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.
