GRADUATION AND HANDOVER CEREMONY TO YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES IN T/A TSABANGO

As one way of promoting equal rights and inclusion for persons with disabilities, we provided vocational skills training to 40 youth with disabilities to empower them economically. The training focused on tailoring, which was their vocational choice. Thirty-seven youths graduated, comprising 11 males and 26 females, representing a 92.5% completion rate. Three individuals dropped out due to physical ill health and distance, comprising 2 males and 1 female. The beneficiaries who completed the training have been organized into six working groups, each allocated with start-up tools. This training was possible because of financial support from our partner Christian Blind Mission (CBM).

The graduation took place on July 4, 2024, at Ceyca Hall in the area of T/A Tsabango. Thirty-seven youths with disabilities and other vulnerable individuals received their certificates of attendance in tailoring and design. The certificates were presented by the SJOG Program Manager (Lilongwe Service) Dr. Mwawi Ng’oma and the Senior Chief Representative. About 90 people attended, including parents/guardians of the beneficiaries, Area Development Committee members, a Social Welfare representative, a Lilongwe District Disability Forum representative, a Ward Councillor representative, and the Senior Chief Representative. Start-up tools were also presented to the groups of beneficiaries, including 7 sewing machines, cotton fabric, polyester fabric, sewing threads, tape measures, machine oil, and sewing needles to support the initiation of tailoring shops in their various communities.

Brothers of Saint John of God and Inauguration at St. Augustine Community House in Lilongwe Area 43

PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE

PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE: HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR MENTAL HEALTH WELLNESS WORKSHOPS

Globally, May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month. In alignment with this important cause, Saint John of God Hospitaller Services, one of the leading mental health organizations in Malawi, organized a Mental Health Wellness Workshop. The events took place on May 9th, 2024, in Lilongwe and on May 16th, 2024, in Blantyre, targeting Human Resource practitioners and personnel involved in Corporate Social Responsibility. The aim was to prioritize mental health in the workplace and foster collaboration with various organizations to improve access to mental health services.

Lilongwe Workshop Highlights

The Lilongwe workshop commenced with a presentation by Dr. Mwawi Ng’oma, the Programs Manager of the Lilongwe Service, who outlined the various services offered by Saint John of God Hospitaller Services. This was followed by a General Mental Health talk led by our Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Ndumanene Devlin Silungwe, which constituted the main part of the workshop. Dr. Silungwe emphasized the importance of mental health in the workplace and the need for organizations to develop comprehensive mental health policies. He highlighted the low investment in mental health services in Malawi, which he described as a significant risk to the nation’s development goals, including Vision 2063.

Dr. Silungwe stressed that recent economic, health, and environmental shocks, such as devaluations, COVID-19, and Cyclone Freddy, have exacerbated mental health challenges, directly impacting productivity. He urged stakeholders to increase their investment in mental health services to ensure sustainable production and fruitfulness.

The final presentation in Lilongwe focused on a donation drive, led by Psychologist Ms. Vimbayinashe Chibambo, who shared potential areas for collaboration with organizations as part of their corporate social responsibility in the mental health space. The workshop concluded with a heartfelt thank you to the 73 participants from 40 organizations who contributed to the success of the event.

Blantyre Workshop highlights

The Blantyre workshop, held at the National Bank Leadership Center (Moneymen), echoed the themes discussed in Lilongwe. Dr. Silungwe reiterated the necessity for the corporate world to develop mental health policies and increase investments in mental health services. He pointed out that inadequate attention to mental health could hinder Malawi’s development.

Dr. Silungwe highlighted the impact of mental health challenges on productivity, noting that mental health issues often lead to decreased worker efficiency as employees are preoccupied with personal and external catastrophes. He advocated for a proactive approach, where companies focus on mental health policies and seek professional help for affected employees rather than resorting to dismissals.

In a separate interview, Mathews Banda, the Human Resource Manager for the Centre for Social Concern, Research, and Environmental Development (CSCRED), praised the workshop as an eye-opener. He observed that mental health challenges at workplaces are frequently overlooked, leading to increased turnover and reduced productivity. Banda emphasized the importance of rehabilitation and support for employees facing mental health issues.

The half-day workshop in Blantyre attracted human resource practitioners, managers, and those responsible for corporate social responsibility from various organizations, reinforcing the message that mental health is a crucial component of a productive and sustainable workforce.

Moving Forward

30 Years of Mental Health Services in Malawi

On 3^rd October 2023, Saint John of God Hospitaller Services organized an Open Day aimed at celebrating its 30 years of work in providing mental health services in Malawi. The event had over 50 high-level dignitaries from Government, partner organizations, international organisations, the private sector and the media. The theme of the event was: ‘Mental Health is a Universal Human right.’

The event began with remarks from our CEO, Dr Charles Masulani, followed by presentations from our Programs Manager (Mzuzu Service) Christopher Mhone who highlighted the History, Programs and Projects that Saint John of God Hospitaller Services has done and continues to pursue. Additionally, Dr Mwawi Ng’oma (Programs Manager Lilongwe Service) shared information about what the service is doing in mental health research by presenting maternal mental health interventions. After the two presentations, the dignitaries were given an opportunity to visit the pavilions, which showcased all the programs and projects that Saint John offers.

During the event, we had 12 pavilions displaying all our mental health and psychosocial services, which include our two mental hospitals, outpatient departments, psychosocial services which comprise our stress clinic, employee wells program and others. Furthermore, we also displayed pavilions of our early childhood development programs which include: the Portage project, Elvira Special Needs school, Umoza Children’s project, as well as other services like our College of Health Sciences, Institute of Vocational Training and JOG Enterprises and other projects supported by our partners Christian Blind Mission (CBM), Save the Children and KinderNotHilfe (KNH).

Cyclone Freddy

In March last year, Malawi experienced one of its worst disasters in history. According to the UN, over 625,000 families were displaced many being children and women, with a death toll of over 500 and over 500 people still missing. The Department of Disaster Affairs of Malawi (DoDMA) highlighted the need for “Mental Health and Psychosocial services to the affected areas, especially to the survivors, and frontline health workers, as there was no one providing these services.  As a leading organisation in the provision of mental health services in Malawi, we answered the call and this led to our first humanitarian project with support from KinderNotHilfe Luxembourg

Broken Crayons Mental Health Event At Chipasula Secondary School

Saint John of God Hospitaller Services and Broken Crayons organized a mental health awareness event at Chipasula Secondary School. During the event, we reached over two thousand students on February 16th, 2024, and February 23rd, 2024. The event took place on these days to reach all the students since the school has two shifts, which alternate every week as morning and afternoon shifts.

The event was held under the theme: “Regardless of whatever you are going through, you still have purpose and value, just like broken crayons still colour.” The program of the event consisted of mental health talks and music performances. The mental health talks were delivered by our Psychosocial Counsellor Auston Kayala and Nurse Charles Ndawala and the music performances by artists who are part of the Broken Crayons team. Mr Kayala gave a talk on the negative effects of drug and substance abuse and how to manage stress on both days. While Mr Ndawala gave a talk on understanding mental health and mental illnesses on February 16th. On the 23^rd of February, Mr Chikondi Matenda delivered a talk on understanding mental health and mental illnesses.

The main objective of this event was to promote mental health awareness, youth empowerment, and address crucial topics among students. Head Teacher of Chipasula Secondary School Mrs Ireen Kawale said, “She was impressed with the organisation of the event and issues regarding mental health and youth empowerment are very relevant to the students of Chipasula Secondary School.”