International Mental Health Organisation Inaugurates Center to Raise Awareness
By Mariama Dem
The International Voluntary Mental Health Organisation celebrated the inauguration of its Old Yundum Center on Thursday, February 22nd. This marks an incredible milestone in mental health advocacy in the country. The center aims to provide crucial mental health services, including counseling and advocacy, to address the stigma associated with mental health issues.
Established as a non-profit organisation in 2016, the International Voluntary Mental Health Organisation expanded its operations to Senegal and Guinea Bissau. It offers voluntary psychosocial support services, psycho-education programs, counseling, and advocacy initiatives.
Funded with support from Dutch organisations Stichting W.W. Toegankelijk and Wilder Hansen, alongside Global Properties, the inauguration of the center signifies a commitment to supporting individuals with mental health challenges and raising awareness about mental health issues in the community.
Solomon Correa, founder of the organisation, expressed his enthusiasm for the project. He highlighted the organisation’s mission to educate people about mental health conditions through various programs and initiatives.
The center’s home care support program aims to provide assistance to individuals suffering from mental illness at the comfort of their homes, addressing the stigma and discrimination prevalent in communities.
Bubacarr Ceesay, representing Tanka Tanka Psychiatric Hospital, commended the organisation for its efforts in creating awareness about mental health issues and its collaborative work with local health authorities. He praised the center as a positive step toward improving mental health care in The Gambia.
National Assembly Members of Banjul Central and Banjul North described the opening of the center as timely and significant, acknowledging the organisation’s contributions to improving the lives of those affected by mental health issues.
Henk Scheepers of Stichting W.W. Toegankelijk congratulated the organisation on its milestone achievement.
The International Voluntary Mental Health Organisation continues to collaborate with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to provide support and raise awareness about mental health conditions, aiming to address the increasing burden of mental health issues in The Gambia and beyond. With depression projected to be the leading non-communicable disease by 2030, the organisation’s efforts are crucial in combating this global challenge.