Care & Support of the Mentally Distressed

Chhahari Nepal for Mental Health (CNMH)
Earthquake Response Progress Report – Phase III

After the completion of two phases of Post-Earthquake Response Activity project, we now process towards the phase III. This is the final phase of this project and mainly focuses on the completion and some ongoing activities of phase I and phase II. In phase I, we emphasized on assessing our clients living condition and to what extent earthquake affected them be it physically, mentally, financially and socially. As we worked upon phase I, we identified the need of the development of another phase; and in phase II, we worked on locating new clients and re-connecting them with their family/relatives. Under all phases we work in co-ordination with the community and other likeminded organizations. CNMH is also participating in the UN Mental Health Cluster meetings led by UN and MoHP(Ministry of Health and Population).

Under phase III, CNMH is providing monetary support to help clients and carers continue with their medication, treatment and temporary shelter with regular follow-up. We are in the process of providing monetary fund to the clients for their monthly medical cost; and covering 50% of treatment cost of the carers. These carers are undergoing certain medical treatment like cataract treatment, hemorrhoids, and bed sore. This monetary fund is provided only for a period of 5 months. And for this we have signed an agreement letter between the carers, clients and organization. This agreement letter is considered to be of importance; as for the clients and carers to understand that this support is for a certain time period.The bills provided by the hospitals, clearly mentioning the patients name and amount; are collected as for our record.

Likewise, the client's families who have lost their houses or who have suffered from damaged houses are provided with monetary support.

We continue to work and proceed with one of the activities of phase II; that is to locate new clients and re-connect with their family/relatives. For this activity to be carried out, we have employed two EROs (Earthquake Response Officers) who actively participate to identify and investigate people suffering from mental health problems, majorly affected due to the earthquake. The EROs shall also seek to locate and reconnect these individuals with their families. Until date, we have located 21 new clients post- earthquake period. And under phase III, we continue to work with these clients and support them.

After, the assessment and evaluation was done by the EROs during phase II, a report was prepared by them which highlighted the findings and experiences focusing on locating mentally distressed men and women as a post-earthquake response. This report can be found in our website.

Similarly, the clients and carers are also supported through our weekly Welcome Center sessions and Carers Workshop Sessions. Carers Workshop Sessions takes place once in every 2 months in collaboration with ECTC (Elijah Counselling and Training Cenre) specially designed for the carers only who care for the mentally ill .We have realized that it is essential to have a carers support group for awareness and guidance whilst they themselves support mentally ill person/s.

There are some aftershocks felt across Nepal until date. And a sense of fear and stress still exists amongst the people. Therefore, under this phase CNMH is participating in various psycho-social trainings on stress management, peer support; counseling and community based psychosocial support; to continue to develop in post-earthquake response activities with mentally distressed group.

Links:

• CNMH website