WE TALK MENTAL HEALTH
Leaving no one behind
Don’t call me mad.
We are determined to restore the lost dignity and hope for all people living with psycho-social disabilities in Uganda and beyond. For now, we are glad to share the amazing story of Kifansalira Matia (not real names). We met Kifansalira during one of our community visits in Buikwe district and he was in a state where all those around him considered him to be “mad” and useless. He was roaming the streets and looking unkempt as in the photo below; however, as advocates we looked at him from the human point of view and saw him as a sick person who needed love, acceptance and treatment. At the end of the day, one of our members, Aida Namulindwa, who is also someone with lived experience as well as a carer for people with people with psycho-social disability volunteered to take care of him in her home. So we right away went to the nearby police station in Nkokonjeru town and got a police letter permitting us to take Kifansalira to Butabika Mental Health hospital. The next day, he was taken to hospital, assessed and started on medication. One week later, we had another session in the session area, and Kifansalira was one of the members who attended the meeting that we held later on. You can read more about us in our new issue of the newsletter.MSI DIMINISH THE STIGMA NEWSLETTER
IMPORTANT QUOTES ABOUT PSYCHO-SOCIAL DISABILITY
As human beings, our health and the health of those we care about is a matter of daily concern. Regardless of our age, gender, socio-economic or ethnic background, we consider our health to be our most basic and essential asset.
MENTAL HEALTH IS A HUMAN RIGHT
UN Human Rights office of the High CommissionerPersons with psychosocial disabilities face many forms of stigma and discrimination, as well as barriers to exercising their civil, economic, social and cultural rights. These barriers are heightened by urbanization, increasing human insecurity, poverty, natural disasters, migration, hunger and conflict.
STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION
Paul Deany, DRF Program OfficerMystory Initiative is focused to ending the stigma against people with Psycho-social Disabilities. Every one deserves equal rights and previleges.
STATISTICS
- People with Psychosocial Disabilities in Low income countries
- People Living with PSD in other countries
- People with Psychosocial Disabilities in Low income countries
- People Living with PSD in other countries
HELPING HANDS NEWS
Funders and networking partners
Funding Partner
The Disability Rights Fund is a grantmaking collaborative that supports persons with disabilities around the world to build diverse movements, ensure inclusive development agendas, and achieve equal rights and opportunity for all.
