Frontier Myanmar’s Post

I am thrilled to announce that I participated in the topic titled Understanding Mental Health & Alcohol Misuse organized by the Ministry of Health of Zambia through the Project ECHO Initiative. World Health Organization defines health as a state of complete -Physical -Mental & -Social well-being and not merely the absence of disease. The knowledge gained from this training will paly a vital role in improving the assessment and treatment options for alcohol misuse. #mentalhealth #mentalwellbeing #selfcare

Do we focus on Mental Health enough? This week, I had the privilege of attending the International Conference on Positive Mental Health in Cape Verde. At the conference, I had the opportunity to learn about the progress various countries are making towards enhancing mental health, and to share the initiatives our ministry is undertaking. Positive mental health is the cornerstone of our healthcare agenda. We recognize that mental well-being is crucial for both personal and societal prosperity. To this end, we have implemented several initiatives aimed at enhancing mental health services and promoting mental well-being. These include a National Mental Health Policy, targeted awareness campaigns, school-based programs, extensive substance abuse initiatives, and intensified research, monitoring, and data collection efforts. Dr Pate and I firmly believe that integrating mental health programs and services into primary healthcare and establishing community-based mental health services are pivotal steps towards improving the mental health of our citizens. Improved mental health is not a luxury but a fundamental necessity for all Nigerians and Africans alike. Nigeria and Cape Verde are united in our commitment to prioritize the mental well-being of our citizens. As advocates for enhanced mental health management, we aspire to inspire other ECOWAS leaders across the continent to follow suit. I extend heartfelt thanks to Honourable Minister Mrs. Filomena Mendes Gonçalves, Minister of Health of Cape Verde, and her team for organizing an excellent conference. #mentalhealth #wellbeing #capeverde

Please join FHI 360 for this important conversation on mental health and stigma in Ukraine.

#MentalHealthCare is essential. The project Safeguarding the Rights of Populations at Risk of Ill Mental Health in Guyana is leading the way in ensuring that local communities get the support they deserve. Gatekeepers - local health care workers, civil society leaders and religious figures - are trained to identify mental health issues, provide immediate support, and connect people with the services they need.     Shanna, a dedicated gatekeeper from the Mabaruma region, recalls the transformative experience and insight she gained into #SuicidePrevention: “It gave me a better view on suicide...being here helped me understand suicide fully and ways and (sic) how we can combat it,” she explains. “Suicide has never occurred in my community, and I want to go back and educate and teach them so that it would never occur in my community.” Empowered by her new-found knowledge, Shanna has become a vital resource and mental health advocate in her community. She says, “I plan to educate [my community] on what I have learned here today and start implementing small strategies so that [suicide] can never happen. They can be well educated and aware like I am today.”     Together, IDRF (International Development and Relief Foundation) and Canada continue to support mental health care in Guyana by building local capacity and engaging community members. As a result, the project has successfully trained over 700 community members like Shanna. Together, we can fight stigma and prioritize mental health for all!     📸 Anand Ally / IDRF      #CommunityCare | #GenderEquality | #MentalHealth | #MentalHealthNow | #MentalHealthForAll | #MentalHealthAwareness | #WorldMentalHealthDay

Tuberculosis is not just a physical disease—many patients also experience mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or stress, often compounded by isolation from their communities. Globally, the prevalence of depression among people with TB is reported to be between 3–6 times higher than that of the general population. In #Myanmar, PATH partners with the Myanmar Health Assistant Association, with funding from Stop TB Partnership, to equip health workers with the tools they need to support TB patients on multiple levels—physically, mentally, and emotionally. This #WorldMentalHealthDay, we call upon all TB stakeholders and funding agencies to strengthen their focus on integrating mental health care into TB services. The road to ending TB must be paved with mental health support, compassion, and a people-centered approach. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ednN2xbk #HealthForAll #EndTB

Integrated, person-centered #MentalHealth care is an essential component of universal health coverage. This is an excellent example of how #PATH is integrating mental health care into #PHC and across other service areas to improve outcomes and treatment adherence and decreases stigma. Ahead of next year’s High-Level Meeting on #NCDs and #MentalHealth, its critical that investments in mental health are prioritized to address the rising burden of mental illness.

Mental disorders in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) do not attract local, national or global health policy attention, although accounting for a considerable burden of disease. The majority of people with mental disorders do not receive evidence-based care, leading to chronicity, suffering and increased costs of care. Strengthening care and services for people with mental disorders is a priority and needs additional investment in human resources and piggy-backing on existing public health programmes. This is something that was strongly highlighted at the Africa CDC, CBM Global Disability Inclusion, Wellcome Trust, The American University in Cairo Mental Health Leadership Program. Looking around me, and seeing the dire need at Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital, really drives the point home for me. With a capacity of 550 beds, and the mental health crisis on the rise in Uganda, we need to do more to support people with mental health needs in our communities. And that could mean integration of mental health care services at the primary health care centers, and increased #InvestmentInMentalHealth by funders. Thoughts? Let's end the stigma and advocate for increased investment in mental health at all levels. #mentalhealth #LMICs #globalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #healthcare #publichealth #investment #advocacy

Today is the first day of Mental Health Awareness Month. This year it is vital that we acknowledge that fighting injustice and community care are good for mental wellness. Many MH orgs continue to stay silent so this month use #GenocideIsAMentalHealthIssue to acknowledge the negative impact that genocide has on all parties and to encourage mental health professionals and orgs to step up and end their explicit and implicit support for colonial violence. From housing, to healthcare, to food and water, to education, to safety these struggles are related. We all deserve better. Without a global change we cannot be well. Genocide and profit over people cannot be medicated or self-cared away. You cannot support business as usual and say you care about health and wellness. Not without also admitting that you only care about the health and wellness of those racialized White, privileged and willing to not care. And even then that as a definition of well is highly suspect at best. NASW, APA, ACA, and so many of the helping & healthcare organizations have been pretty quiet about the genocides and the impact they have on wellness. Without confronting violence and injustice there is no way to be mentally well, it is just habituation to oppression. This article talks about the costs of organizational silence which we are seeing now. https://lnkd.in/gGMDZ5k7 For those wanting to get involved or trying to stay involved without burning out, this article can be a starting place. https://lnkd.in/gpnbUpsu Free Congo Free Sudan Free Palestine Free Haiti Liberation is Collective and Liberation is Healing

Reclaiming the Conversation: Mental Health Equity in Namibia At the heart of societal well-being lies mental health, yet pervasive stigma and misconceptions continue to be obstacles to achieving health equity. While recent efforts have shed light on mental health, a significant barrier remains: the normalization of open conversations within Namibian communities. While commendable efforts by various organizations provide information and services, a ground-up approach is necessary. Community dialogue is crucial to dismantle the stigma that removes mental health from daily discourse and categorizes it as an undesirable anomaly. The Namibian Landscape: Suicide Rates: Namibia contends with a despondently high suicide rate. Namibia has one of the highest suicide rates in Africa. Understanding and addressing this as a mental health concern is the first step towards prevention efforts. Gender-Based Violence: Statistics paint a grim picture of gender-based violence and femicide in Namibia. Sadly, attempts to explore and address the mental health components of these issues are lacking. Beyond Awareness Days and Political Speeches: The current approach, with its focus on designated days for mental health recognition, creates a narrow window for crucial conversations. Sustained, year-round efforts are what will truly make a difference. The lack of political will and resource allocation further derail the efforts of passionate individuals and organizations working tirelessly in this sector. Moving Forward: Clear definitions of mental health conditions are essential to combat fear and alienation. Obscure terminology only perpetuates stigma. Furthermore, readily available resources and infrastructure for clinical and psychosocial support services within communities are paramount. The Power of Community: Let's break the silence surrounding mental health in Namibia. Share this article to spark conversations within your communities. Advocate for increased resources and accessibility of mental health services. Together, we can dismantle the stigma and create a society where everyone feels empowered to seek help. #MentalHealthNamibia, #EndStigma, #MentalHealthMatters, #NamibiaStrong, #CommunityCare Anthony Williams Auchab, Sr. Director Brighter Day Hope Foundation

Every life matters