Somalina Posted February 3, 2011 Wednesday, February 02, 2011 NAIROBI, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Prolonged conflict and instability have largely impacted on the mental and psychological well-being of the Somali people, the UN health agency said on Wednesday. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in three Somalis has been affected by some kind of mental illness, a prevalence which is higher than in other low-income and war-torn countries. To have a better understanding of the mental health services within the country, WHO in Somalia produced a mental health situation analysis. The document groups all crucial information on mental health in Somalia and is the result of a participatory process, which has engaged stakeholders through desk review work, group discussions, data collection, and consultative meetings both done in Somalia and at Nairobi level. "Taking care of mental health patients shows the communities that mental illnesses can be treated effectively, without stigmatizing the patients," said Dr Marthe Everard, WHO Representative for Somalia. "Mental health is still seen as an isolated sector but should be integrated into primary health care. Interventions are not too difficult or costly, but the area is rather lacking resources and infrastructure." Many Somali's have experienced beating, torture, rape or have been injured for life. Others witnessed horrific violence against family or friends. Many Somalis with mental illness are socially isolated and vulnerable. The pain of this isolation is felt intensely because Somali culture is traditionally communal and family oriented. "After two decades of conflict and fighting, this mental health situation analysis comes at the right time," said Mark Bowden, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia. "The human rights of the persons with mental disorders and of their families cannot be neglected. We need to empower them to change the stigmatized image of mental illness, which is contaminated with images of violence, sin and laziness." The Somali health authorities are committed to the cause. Source: Xinhua Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOB Posted February 3, 2011 Not long ago this guy was telling me about how the mentally ill people are treated back home and I felt sick...some of the stories he told me broke my heart. He told me about a guy who was shot in the head by some militia guys simply because he wouldn't stop and they thought that he was pretending and was being disrespectful to them and then he told me about gabar iyadana maskaxda ka xanuunsan oo uur qaday kadib markii la xoogay...wallahi waxyaalo aan ka naxo buu ii sheegay oo isii nacsiisay warlordska iyo dameerta ay wataan ee u dagaalama...marka dadkeena ilaahay ha u gargaaro as he's the only one we've got. Peace, Love & Unity. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
