mental health Archivi - Pagina 3 di 3

Migrants’ post-traumatic stress is aggravated by hotspot system

12 Marzo 20217 Aprile 2021 Beatrice Chioccioli

Most of the migrants who have arrived in Europe by sea since 2015 have experienced violence: mental health problems emerge during the reception period in host countries, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder. Thanks to a recent study, we know that what awaits these people upon arrival matters just as much as their experiences along the migration route and in their country of origin. Life in large facilities such as hotspots and CARAs can negatively affect previous traumas. Associations agree: it is time to remove the obstacles to integration, radically changing the border approach proposed by the EU.

Ghana, the solitude of the mentally ill in wards that were prisons

28 Gennaio 20213 Febbraio 2021 Antonella Sinopoli

There are three such structures in the country. A 2012 law, which establishes, among other things, the decentralization of psychiatric services, has significantly reduced the number of patients and the problem of overcrowding. Today the number of beds exceeds the number of patients. However, there are still issues of abandonment and the stigma towards those with mental disorders. This investigation contains some stories of the guests of the oldest hospital (it dates back to 1906 and was in the beginning a prison) and the interview with the executive director of Mental Health Authority who also talks about the principle and reasons for the so-called “decolonizing mental health”.

“Mental 360”, in Kenya against youth depression and suicides

29 Dicembre 202029 Dicembre 2020 Abdoulaye Coumbassa

Mental 360 is a non-profit mental health awareness organization that has been active since 2016. Among its activities there are physical wellness, counselling, art therapy, yoga and dance, all aiming at promoting mental health and emotional stability. The end goal is to establish a society where mental illness is not stigmatized and treatment is affordable to the common citizen everywhere in Africa. We talked with Bright Shitemi, co-founder of the organization, who explained us the inspiration behind the NGO and the objectives, obstacles, results achieved to date and future goals.

Tender Arts Nigeria: music, theatre and painting inside hospitals

7 Novembre 20208 Novembre 2020 Clelia Marri

TANigeria was founded in 2013 to promote art in all its forms within healthcare facilities in Nigeria and other African countries. It offers a wide range of activities aiming at improving social interaction, easing stress and bringing some color to hospitals wards. Through art, patients are able to express their emotions without words and over 7 years, more than 15,000 people have had the opportunity to take part in these projects which are tailored specifically to the patient’s personal experience. We talked with the founder of this social enterprise, Kunle Adewale, who explained us their programs, objectives and difficulties.

Report on mental health and its many misconceptions in Nigeria

8 Ottobre 202015 Settembre 2022 Abdoulaye Coumbassa

A survey conducted by the Africa Polling Institute (API) in collaboration with EpiAFRIC to assess the level of information on the knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of Nigerians towards mental illness.

Policies and laws in support of disability in African countries

8 Ottobre 202015 Settembre 2022 Clelia Marri

Over a billion people in the world live with some form of disability: it’s time to act! Here we present a series of political strategies and action plans developed to create a more inclusive Africa.

Refugees and asylum seekers, people with mental health at risk

29 Settembre 202015 Settembre 2022 Clelia Marri

A study published on PLOS Medicine shows that migrants experience high rates of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders, and that it’s necessary to provide immediate and continuous psychological support.

“I am a refugee in my mind”, when the sense of belonging is lost

4 Agosto 20204 Agosto 2020 Redazione

In his poem “I am a refugee in my mind”, Alex Kitaka describes the sense of estrangement from the world and even oneself brought by mental distress. Bad thoughts represented by house flies buzz in our head and keep saying that there is no place for us, anywhere. But Alex reminds us that there is always a chance for us to bloom like roses and to heal through sharing: “I believe that writing creates a safer place to let out and let go of feelings that endanger someone’s mental health. Like always, writing is therapy!”

“I want humanity!” I want the little things you find shaming to do

24 Giugno 202015 Settembre 2022 Redazione

“Imagine you gathered all the courage and walked up to me? Me, that random girl sitting alone in the cafeteria
Me, that seemingly busy lady over a steaming cup of coffee at the cafe. Me, that swaggered teenager flocked by admirers, the envy of all. Imagine you just walked up to me and said “hi?” Imagine you gathered all the empathy and walked up to me?” Those are the first verses of a poem about solitude, depression, search for compassion.

“Weak Pillars of Sanity”, silencing the drama running into the brain

17 Giugno 202015 Settembre 2022 Redazione

“My doctor walks in, hands out her gloved limb tainted with the multicolored silencers that she wants me to pill-pop to steady my weak pillars of sanity.” Those are the first verses of Ssekajja’s poem which goes through mental distress, alienation from society, sense of non-belonging and -maybe – a guilt feeling towards a family which cannot really understand him and his mind. Ronald is writer and performer of both English and Luganda.