How can we take care of ourselves holistically during this pandemic?
Covid 19 has put us in a state of fear and restless consciousness about our physical health (which is a good thing); but what about our mental health and mind? Watch this video from our research and budget assistant to get tips on how to fight stress and empower ourselves during this Covid 19 pandemic period.
#hopefortheabusedbattered
#weareinthistogether
#mentalhealthmatters
#thereishope
Taking care of our mental health during this Covid-19 Pandemic.
World Suicide Prevention day 2020: Let’s talk awareness, prevention and stigma
Our Founder honoured an invitation by the Voice of Hope Media on the ocassion of World suicide prevention Day. she also joined in her capacity as a Psychotherapist; Executive Representative for the African Region for Global Mental Health Peer Network, and country executive- Cameroon.
Commemorating World Suicide Prevention day
In solidarity with our founder and all other suicide survivors who at some point thought suicide was the permanent solution to their problem.
#WorldSuicidePreventionDay #GMPHN_speakout #WSPD2020 #SuicidePrevention #SuicideAwareness
#hopefortheabusedbattered
#thereishope
#bethehope
More events to raise awareness on Mental health by our founder
It is in our founders habits to keep advocating for the community’s mental health especially during this pandemic period, through different events she speaks on. Three of such events she’s recently been on include:
1) The CASEC information virtual exchange show series aptly dubbed “When pandemics collide” with focus on the topic ” Covid 19 and Domestic Violence”. She focused on sharing the situation in Cameroon as well the mental health effects the double pandemics (of Covid-19 and its tough lockdown measures, and domestic violence) are having on all the stakeholders involved.
In a nutshell her reflections were around the following questions:
The Impact of gender based violence (GBV) on mental health; a) What is gender based violence and how is it exacerbated during this pandemic? b) What in brief is mental health and mental health disorders? c) How does GBV affect our mental health? d) What is the effect of our mental health on GBV? e) What can be done? f) What are the resources available in Cameroon? g) What needs to be done?
You could watch that show on our YouTube channel at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P8MWO5K6VM
2) The “Women Speaking Experience” program is another twin event she facilitated sessions on to talk Women, self confidence and their mental health. The events took place in Yaounde on the 22nd of July and in Douala on the 29th of July. Her focus points were the following:
a) what was self confidence?
b) why do we need self confidence?
c) what were the manifestations of lack of self-confidence?
d) what were the inhibitions to self-confidence?
e) how to build self-confidence?
and f) the effect of all that on our mental health
You could watch a blurb of the workshop (in French) on our YouTube channel at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–Z0pK93wDI
3) The 3rd big event she virtually spoke on was one organized by the Gweth Foundation of Kenya under the theme “Mental State Effect of Menstrual Health”. This was held on the 28th August 2020, and the focus was on discussing different issues around menstruation; challenges faced by girls especially in low and middle income countries, stigma around menstruation and the different support tools available or needed to help the girl child to manage their mental health, during her menstrual cycle. Some key points like how poor menstrual hygiene can affect one’s mental health and how lack of hygiene items can affect youths in the various communities and many other pertinent topics where captured.
You can watch this show on our YouTube channel through this link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2LE6qUODyc
A recognition certificate from the Gweth Foundation, after her authentic and impactful participation on their event makes our work and her participation at these events worth it.
Do you want to invite our founder to be a guest on your show or platform?
Do not hesitate to reach out:
Kindly email us at: hope@hope4abusedbattered.com
Visit our website www.hope4abusedbattered.com
Give us a call/WhatsApp # +237672576011
#hopefortheabusedbattered
#weareinthistogether
#mentalhealthmatters
#thereishope
#bethehope
Monday Motivation from our Founder
What is or are your goals in life? Do you want to do them ordinarily or extraordinarily? Do you still strive to fit an ordinary mold or dare stand apart and be extraordinary? I know my goals in life. They often require me doing ordinary things with an extraordinary mindset, or be outright extraordinary in my being and thinking, and doing. I count on God for Grace and it’s been AMAZING all along. I had to struggle with the realization that I was called to greatness, having it within me from the time I was formed and born. But since I set on the self rediscovery, affirming and asserting Journey, there is no being, going or doing ordinary things again. And yes, that’s a mantra I remind myself daily, to wake up each day with gratitude for another moment in life to be extraordinary, to think extraordinary, and to do even the seemingly ordinary things of life the extraordinary way by GRACE AMAZING AMEN. Happy new week social media family, today is the 7th and last day of an epic 7 days spiritual retreat I embarked on, and am of course looking at rounding it up the EXTRAORDINARY way…to God be the Glory for He is so GOOD ALL THE TIME.
#IamMAGnectic
#iamfreedomnlove
#MAGinspires
#MAGmotivates
#MAGencourages
#MAGtakesthelead
#MAGisintentional
#attitudeofgratitude
#acceptitallwithlove
#doitallwithlove
#sayitallwithlove
#letGodnloelead
#livelovelaughlearn
Children suffer tremendously from Domestic Violence
Do we know that Children also suffer tremendously from domestic violence even if they are not the direct victims? That some children even grow up feeling they are the cause of the violence in their homes and can even wish themselves dead? That recently an 11 year old child in South Africa committed suicide because they believed they were the cause of their mothers seperation from their father and all her unhappiness? We parents and guardians have to be very mindful about what we say or do to or around our children especially violent words or actions. Listen to the newest and upcoming volunteer in our team Ms. Sonita Mbiaoh reflect some on that. Do not hesitate to reach out to us, and nurture your children with love not violence. #mentalhealthmatters #breakthestigma #bethehope #thereishope ##notodomesticviolence
How to use the social media to improve on personal development during this Covid 19 Pandemic
Watch our young web developer Alain Michel inspire us on why or how to use social media for our personal development/growth especially during this pandemic. In times like these with some hopelessness and helplessness around especially in our youths, with all the uncertainty around us, and so much toxic and conflicting or confusing stuffs on social media, being prudent, mindful and conscious of why or how we use social media to begin with is very timely. What better voice than that of a 16 year old inspiration to reflect on that? #thereishope #bethehope
Understanding Conflict And Conflict Resolution.
On Monday the 24th August, our Admin and HR officer Ms Estela Mah did a presentation on understanding conflict as well as various conflict resolution techniques we could use to manage conflict .
The presentation was pursuant to a 10days secluse for the 4th Training of Trainers workshop on peace Transformation organized by the PCC peace Office of the Presbyterian Church of Cameroon.
A conflict is a disagreement between two or more people and is equally a mental struggle resulting from opposing needs, wants, wishes, external or internal expectations.
Conflict when not resolved has many effects on the mental health of all involved. Conflicts can lead mental health challenges and illnesses such as, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, substance misuse, and precipitation of psychosis in extreme cases.
The key points noted in conflict resolution were;
a) Identifying all the relevant groups involved
b) Understanding the perspective of all these groups.
c) Learning from failures as well as successes.
The tool that were recommended included the conflict tree that helped us to resolve a conflict by identifying the main reasons of that conflict which are the roots and trying to solve them at that point before the whole tree grows into a big one that will represent a great problem.
Some of the conflict resolution techniques given were;
a) Problem Solving / Collaboration / Confronting
b) Compromising/Reconciling
c) Withdrawing/Avoiding
d) Forcing/Competing
e) Smoothing/Accommodating
Nonviolent communication was equally advised as it helps to guide us on how we express ourselves, how we hear others and resolve conflicts by focusing our consciousness. It is a tool that leads us toward a quality of connection among people where everyone’s needs are valued and met through compassion and its components are; observation, feelings, needs and requests.
The do no harm concept she elaborated on speaks to all humanitarian actors. It calls on us to avoid exposing people to additional risk through our actions and involves taking a step back from our social actions and mitigate potential effects to the environment, economy in times of conflict.
Some of the practices and behaviours that can cause harm and lead to conflicts include:
a) When behaviors are not adapted to the cultural contex;t
b) When there is an abuse of power (Sexual exploitation and abuse by some humanitarian field workers for example);
c) Failure to comply with humanitarian principles;
d) Selection of beneficiaries and special privileges giving rise to tension;
e) Creation of expectations to which interventions can not not respond;
f) Data collection without taking into consideration the dignity of the beneficiaries (Management of sensitive information without precautions).
Overall, it was a great presentation well mastered and explained by Ms. Estela, and the whole team was inspired.
Are you in any conflicting situation? Is it with self or others? Do not suffer in silence, we are offering psychotherapeutic support so do not hesitate to reach out to us
Kindly email us at hope@hope4abusedbattered.com
Visit our website www.hope4abusedbattered.com
Give us a call/WhatsApp # +237672576011
#thereishope
#bethehope
#hopefortheabusedandbattered
#mentalhealthmatters
#menstrautionmatters