By Paul M. Kanneh
Mother of Light a local group engaged in mental health programs in Liberia, is engaged in various activities to improve mental health in this West African state.
According to the Acting Project Coordinator, Samkay Z. Karworzohn, the three programs include: Prevention, Community Based and “We Connect”. The prevention aspect deals with school related mental health prevention activities, while the community based and we connect aspects deal with substance abuse and scholarship, mainly in kickball, volleyball and football.
She was speaking when Mother of Light recently joined other local and international organizations to commemorate World Mental Health Day (October 1).
Responding to questions on thematic program areas, Madam Karworzohn used the occasion to call on the public to take mental health issues as a global threat, adding everyone should work towards the fight against mental health. She also urged the public to exercise restraint and limit the stigmatization of patients of mental health.
“We can only succeed in the fight to address mental health programs if we limit stigmatization of patients by calling them names and isolating them, Madam Karworzohn added.
The program was graced by a parade through some major streets in Paynesville. Some Youth Groups including official from the Ministry of Health, Carter Center and Mother of Light graced the occasion.
Mother of Light Acting Project Coordinator noted that this years’ mental health celebration is in support of efforts to fight mental health issues affecting young people, adding, “Suicide should not be an option for those suffering from mental health”.
Madam Karworzohn indicated that Mother of Light is working in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Carter Center, Medicines San Frontier and Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency to address mental health issues.
The Acting Coordinator of Mother of Light told the press that their partnership with those institutions is only limited to technical and man power assistance but not financial support as many people are made to believe.
She however, disclosed that the World Lebanese Cultural Union, some local and international businesses and philanthropists are those supporting programs of Mother of Light.
At the same time, the Acting Program Coordinator of Mother of Light has called on the Government of Liberia, the general public and stakeholders to support their ongoing efforts to construct a rehabilitation center for patients.
She intimated that the government of Liberia has already seconded three technical staff to Mother of Light, one of which is a medical doctor who was sent to Lebanon for advance training in mental health.