Mental Health is a problem that is rarely addressed in the developing world and the charity's program aims to restore hope and bring healing by providing basic counseling skills to health care workers, church leaders, teachers, social workers, prison officers and many other community leaders. Teaching those skills will increase the availability of mental health resources and address issues of mental illness, epilepsy and trauma.
World Mental Health Day, promoted by The World Health Organization, is designed to raise public awareness about mental health issues. Mental health is defined as how we think, feel and act as we cope with life.
Dr. Lyn Westman, the Program Administrator, spends most of her time in the field teaching and coaching community leaders in the countries served by Mercy Ships.
During this year's field service to Togo, the Mental Health Team conducted a five-day camp for orphans and abused children. Before the camp began, a day of training was held to give an overview of the program to parents, teachers and caregivers.
31 children, aged from nine to 15, enjoyed a carefree week on the campus of a Christian school near Lom̬. Each day the children had two lessons to complete in addition to songs, games and Bible stories. To help these traumatized children deal with the difficulties in their lives, the team leaders talked with them about Biblical principles Рexplaining that all children are special and that God loves them and has a plan for their lives. They all seemed to thrive on the loving attention they were getting.
All of the children were allowed to tell the stories of their lives, which helped them to alleviate stress. The campers were also taught how to protect themselves from abuse and how to set boundaries in their lives. The kids' camp was an excellent way for the Mental Health Program to help young people who are experiencing unique challenges. In everything they do, the team strives to fulfill its mission of improving the availability of mental health resources to positively impact those who have lived through traumatic experiences.
When the Africa Mercy moves to Sierra Leone next year, the team will operate a similar children's camp.
Mercy Ships is a global charity that has operated hospital ships in developing nations since 1978 providing free health care and community development services to the forgotten poor. Following the example of Jesus, Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the poor. Working in partnership with local people, Mercy Ships empowers communities to help themselves. The result is a way out of poverty.
The emphasis is on the needs of the world's poorest nations in West Africa, where the world's largest charity hospital ship Africa Mercy, with a crew of more than 450 volunteer, provides the platform for services extending up to ten months at a time.
Mercy Ships works on land-based projects in Sierra Leone in partnership with other organisations, while teams also work in several nations of Central America and the Caribbean. Mercy Ships Australia, one of 15 international support offices is based on the Queensland Sunshine Coast.
On the web: www.mercyships.org.au