Mental health needs that are prevalent within Eritreans are myriad emanating from political instabilities, socio-economic setbacks, and indeed the consequences of a long-standing war. The country also suffers from a weak state of mental well-being services, low utilisation of services, and negative attitudes towards mental well-being. Promoting mental health in Eritrea will require an improvement in the support of mental health charities.
- MHPE strives to enhance local practicum by training healthcare providers and utilising a people-mobilisation method.
- Médecins Sans Frontières provides emergency medical assistance and mental well-being care.
Top Mental Health Organisations in Eritrea
Choosing to support these organisations can make a huge difference in mental health care in Eritrea:
1. International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
The ICRC works in Eritrea to assist in health care provision. Their services include mental, health, and psychosocial support in healthcare endeavours. Funds provided to the ICRC help to ensure that vulnerable Eritreans receive mental well-being services. These benefits also include those who have violated the International Human Rights law in the worst way imaginable through conflict and forced migration.
2. Mental Health Project Eritrea (MHPE)
This is a community-based project aimed at raising awareness in the community on mental conditions. MHPE aims to improve local practicum through capacity building. This is by training healthcare workers and through a people mobilisation approach, with practicum being reduced. Only the development of long-term mental well-being care can be supported in the framework of such a project.
3. Humanity & Inclusion (formerly Handicap International)
Some of the key population groups come under Humanity & Inclusion. They include the physically and mentally challenged, the disabled, women, and children with psychosocial disability. All in all, Humanity & Inclusion play a crucial role in restoring the state of mind of people in conflict or post-conflict situations. With its inclusive and community-level approach, the charity organisation is at the forefront of supporting Eritrea’s mental well-being services.
4. Unicef (United Nations International Children Emergency Fund)
Due to generally poor living conditions in Eritrea, children are predominately under very much psychological pressure, and for this reason, UNICEF prioritises this vulnerable population. Donations can help to fund better options for dealing with mental well-being issues. Although UNICEF emphasises children and their families, the focus is mostly on children subjected to violence and living conditions that cannot be described as better than those of animals in shelters.
5. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
Médecins Sans Frontières operates across various African nations including Eritrea to give urgent medical help where required including mental health. Their approach is under primary health care and the organisation provides psychological services that sometimes focus on mental well-being and human resources.
Conclusion
As can be seen, any contributions towards improving a nation’s well-being should go to mental health organisations. This includes initiatives that support the construction of Eritrea’s mental well-being framework. Now more than ever, there are opportunities to challenge stigma, increase care availability, and foster homegrown workers’ education.
If you enjoyed this article, and have any comments/questions, please let us know below!
