CIOG, Women Across Differences partners with Canadian Charity for local mental health projects

The International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF), a leading Canadian Charity with funding support of Global Affairs Canada (GAC) through the ‘Safeguarding the Human Dignity & Rights of Populations At-Risk for Ill-Mental Health’ Project signed partnership agreements with the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) and the Women Across Differences (WAD).

In September 2022, representatives of the CIOG and WAD participated in the Strengths Based Resilience (SBR) training that was funded by the Project. The SBR training was facilitated by the University of Melbourne with endorsement of the Ministry of Health.

The partnership agreements will allow the CIOG and WAD to roll out Mental Health programs targeting local communities across all administration regions in support of the following:

1. Increased dignity and rights to mental health wellbeing, particularly for young women
2. Enhanced gender responsive education for equitable inclusion and wellbeing among young women and men in schools and communities
3. Strengthened community based mental health care to mental health survivors in communities
4. Increased understanding of mental health in communities
5. Committees on mental health servicing in priority communities established with inter-religious organizations of Guyana

CIOG and WAD will undertake the following activities in their plans to build strong Mental Health Awareness and support services within the local communities where these programs will be rolled out:

1. Provide counselling for people affected by mental ill-health so that they feel included in their communities
2. Provide improved mental health care services and support for mental health and wellbeing of mental health survivors
3. Provide mental health support for students at schools
4. Improve mental health resources in communities for mental health survivors
5. Conduct community campaigns to disseminate information on mental health
6. Conduct community care visits for vulnerable people