In the run-up to World Mental Health Day: Education
Hand on Heart, in partnership with the Prosamcom association, worked together to raise awareness, demystify and destigmatise mental health in Cameroonian society.
Our round table, which brought together 33 participants including mental health students, was a huge success. It was moderated by a mental health professional, Mr MEMONG Fabien, promoter of the Prosamcom association, who enlightened us during his inaugural lecture on the wheel of emotions;
It was an opportunity to connect, network and establish the seeds of effective long-term collaboration to alleviate the conditions experienced by people with mental illnesses in Cameroon.
Miss Aristarque FOTSO, a development psychologist, led the Psychological First Aid workshop, which was a very instructive insight into how to speak compassionately to someone suffering from mental illness.
We were honoured by the presence of Mr MBALLA BOMBA, head of the regional branch of MINJEC’s National Volunteer Programme centre, who came as a representative of the National Volunteer Programme, which also recruits volunteers for community health work in Cameroon.
We also heard from Sandrine Kameni. She shared her personal experience as the daughter of a mother suffering from mental illness, which motivated her to found the association “Hand on Heart” in 2009.
We also welcomed Rebecca Zavon, an American master’s student in public health, who came to volunteer for Hand on Heart!
There was time before and after the educational sessions for networking between participants. The Day component of the training was planned with the following objectives in mind:
- Promote discussion of mental health issues to reduce stigma
- To encourage further education in the fields of mental health and psychology
- Promote networking and collaboration between current and future mental health professionals.
- Enable family and friends to have the right attitude towards people with mental illness.
We are grateful to all those who came with an open mind to learn and support awareness within Cameroonian society. Together, we can be the first step towards a better Cameroon for people with mental illness.
Results
- The course was announced on the local television channel, Canal2, on the programme “Nous Chez Vous!” on 2 September and 7 September 2022.
- The event was attended by 33 people in addition to the organisers. Participants included mental health nurses, psychology students and other mental health professionals.
- Each participant received a certificate of participation attesting to the completion of an awareness day.
- Each participant received educational information leaflets on mental health with key messages (from the Ministry of Public Health) aimed at promoting mental health.
- Participants had the opportunity to network and create communication channels to strengthen future collaboration.
