Halfway Home Sabahmuswang: Providing hope and support on World Mental Health Day
The Halfway Home at Sabahmuswang, run by the Society for Urban and Rural Empowerment (SURE) in Jowai, celebrated World Mental Health Day on Tuesday. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Mental Health is a Universal Human Right,” emphasizing the importance of respecting the rights of individuals with mental illness, which is often overlooked by society.
People with mental illness have the same fundamental rights as any other citizens, including the right to a decent life, legal safeguards against abuse, the right to appeal, necessary treatment in the least restrictive setting, rehabilitation, personal autonomy, privacy, freedom of communication, education, training, economic and social security, family and community life, employment, protection against exploitation and discrimination, and the right to assistance in protecting their rights.
World Mental Health Day was observed at the Halfway Home Sabah Muswang, a place for individuals who have received treatment at mental institutions but need a home-like environment for counseling, vocational training, and assistance in locating their place of residence. In the morning, an art competition was organized for the residents, many of whom actively participated, showcasing their artistic talent despite their mental illness.
In the evening, a small gathering was held, during which prizes and food were distributed to the residents. Niwanka Shylla, Project Coordinator of Halfway Home Sabahmuswang, welcomed everyone and provided a brief report on the home’s activities. Dr. HH Mohrmen, Secretary of SURE, praised the dedicated staff of the home and expressed gratitude to Dr. Anne Paswet, Psychiatrist and Medical Superintendent of Jowai Civil Hospital and Dr. Ebormitre Dann, a visiting doctor at Halfway Home.
Dr. Mohrmen, on behalf of the staff and inmates, also thanked Dr. Dann for donating a television in the home, noting the significance of the gift on World Mental Health Day. Dr. Dann expressed his appreciation for the home’s staff and their service. Ilasiewdor Gashnga, a social worker at Halfway Home, delivered the vote of thanks.
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“Every war is a war against children“, said Eglantyne Jebb, founder of Save the Children, 100 years ago. Children and young people are brutally affected by the terror of war, conflicts and other humanitarian disasters. On this World Mental Health Day, we must recognize the impact of human-made disasters on children and young people.