In honor of World Mental Health Day, which took place on October 10th, Hand on Heart Association partnered with Prosamcom to raise awareness, demystify, and destigmatize mental health in Cameroonian society. Our round table with professionals and students of mental health was a huge success, with 31 participants.
We were honored to have Mr. Fabien Memong, representing Prosamcom, facilitate the round table discussion on mental health. Ms. Aristarque Fotso, special educator, directed the course on Mental Health First Response, a very informative overview of how to compassionately address someone with mental illness.
Mr. Mballa Bomba also came to represent the Programme National de Volontariat, which recruits volunteers for community health work in Cameroon.
We also heard from Sandrine Kameni, who founded Hand on Heart in 2009. She shared her experience with her mother’s mental illness, which is what motivated her to found the organization.
We are grateful to all those who came with open minds to learn and support the sensibilisation Together, we can be the first impulse toward a better Cameroon for those suffering from mental illness.
Together, we can be the first impulse
WHO World Mental Health Day Conference
Make mental health and well being for all a global priority
On October 10th, World Mental Health Day, Hand on Heart Association and PROSAMCOM attended a conference organized by the Department of Health Promotion of the Ministry of Public Health at the La Falaise hotel in Yaoundé.
The theme of the conference was to make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority. From parents to doctors, all the participants were passionate about the mission.
Mental Health = Wellness = LOVE!
Among the panelists were a representative of the World Health Organization, the representative of the Minister of Public Health and Dr. Laure Menguene, Deputy Director of Mental Health.
We had the unique opportunity to hear testimonies from PAMMEs (Persons Afflicted by Wandering Mental Illness), former mental health patients who were picked up from the street by the urban community and brought to the Jamot Center where they were treated. These patients have gone from being ostracized, feared and abandoned on the streets, to becoming functional and productive citizens again. What an inspiring look at the potential of mental health awareness and proper treatment!
Mental illness “madness” can be treated. Let’s no longer abandon our sick brothers. Let’s support them like any sick person. -Ministry of Public Health, Cameroon
We were able to chat with other like-minded Cameroonian organizations about their missions and their impact on the state of mental health in the country. Together, these organizations help fight the neglect of the mentally ill and promote better treatment for their conditions!
Mental Health Awareness: Month of Free Consultations
As a prelude to World Mental Health Day which takes place on October 10th, Hand on Heart Association partnered with PROSAMCOM to demistify mental illness and provide free mental health consultations at the Centre de Santé Sainte Madeleine in Mfou, Cameroon between September 6th and October 6th, 2022.
There is no health without mental health
Consultations were given by trained psychologists. Overall, 30 patients were seen, whose primary concerns included depression, anxiety, and psychosis.
Five patients were identified as suffering from psychosis and were able to receive treatment at the treatment center!
Spreading the Word: TV Appearance
On September 2, 2022, Hand on Heart and PROSAMCOM appeared on “Nous Chez Vous”, a national Cameroonian television news show, to advertise the free consultations available at Centre de Santé Sainte Madeleine in Mfou, Cameroon between September 8th and October 6th, 2022.
These free consultations were planned as a prelude to the World Health Organization’s Mental Health Day, which takes place on October 10th each year. This appearance on national television helped us raise mental health awareness in Cameroon!
Ongoing projects:
Public education: Promoting social awareness for mental illnesses
Print and distribute information booklets
Organisation of seminars
Establishing a Helpline
Empowering more psychologists to work as local therapists
Driving research initiatives
Our long-term goals are:
Establishing training programs for psychotherapists
Building a centre for mentally ill people that are not able to make a living on their own including
Job training (e.g. in reforestation)
Food and clothing donations for mentally ill people and their children
