Likoulenan, a user of the African Network for Well-being and Resilience, and her mother. Savanes region, Togo. | © L. Mensah / HI
It is estimated that one in four people worldwide has a mental disorder1. In Togo, although there is a lack of data at the national level, several studies confirm the prevalence of mental disorders in the country. In order to promote a positive approach to mental health, HI is implementing a project that strengthens peer support and the role of communities in preventing and supporting psychological distress.
It is not always easy to live with a mental disorder, and some people with mental disorders face significant prejudice in society. This prejudice can lead to poor care or exclusion from public spaces or communities, a reality that is fortunately changing.
"The stigma surrounding mental health has been changing over the last few decades. Our goal is to accelerate this movement, to ensure that people struggling with difficulties who have remained silent or isolated, fearing judgement and discrimination, can access the resources, information and services they need to regain their well-being," explains Grace Poyodi, mental health project manager for HI in Togo.
To support these changes, HI is running a mental health and psychosocial support project that puts users, families and communities at the heart of the solutions.
HI provides a range of services and activities to destigmatise mental health, teach people how to recognise signs of psychological distress and promote wellbeing strategies. These activities are implemented in partnership with Togolese organisations such as the Togolese Federation of Associations of Persons with Disabilities (FETAPH), the African Network for Well-being and Resilience (RABER) and Link & Hope, which bring users together in peer support groups.
These activities include, among others:
"They explained to us how to support and care for our friends. Medication isn't the only way to cure illness. In some cases, advice and kind words can soothe your heart and make you feel better. Here, we get together and everyone shares their story so they can feel relieved," says a young woman who participates in RABER discussion groups.
As there is a close link between financial independence and mental health, the project also supports the launch of economic initiatives that enable participants to improve their living conditions and strengthen their sense of dignity. By reducing financial instability, a source of stress, anxiety and depression, these initiatives promote the development of better mental balance.
"When I was at home, I was going round in circles and didn't know what to do. But when we come here, we make soap and deodorant, we play games, we have convivial meals, we dance, I enjoy it and I'm happy. With the money I earn, I'll be able to feed my little ones. Thank you so much!" concludes a participant in a soap-making session in Dapaong.
The "Touching Minds Raising Dignity - Mental Health and Psychosocial Support" project is being implemented in Lebanon, Sierra Leone, Togo and Madagascar. Its objective is to strengthen prevention and community response for inclusive mental health care. In Togo, the project works with several institutional actors and partner associations. It has provided support to more than 2,000 women and men in psychosocial distress, trained 161 community members in mental health and 126 mental health and social work professionals, supported health centres that organise psychosocial activities, and raised awareness among more than 25,000 people.
