Mental Health Matters.

Mental Health Awareness Week -  a focus on emotional wellbeing Dear  All , I hope you are well. As we approach Mental Health Awareness Week (11-17 May), we are reflecting on the emotional impact of a leprosy and lymphatic filariasis diagnosis and how Lepra’s work is instrumental in people’s recovery. We’ll be meeting Counsellor, Khadiza Tul Kobra (left) from Lepra Bangladesh who will be giving an insight into her vital work and sharing tips on how to maintain positive mental health. Khadiza provides one-to-one counselling for people affected by leprosy, LF, and their families. She trains volunteer ‘Mental Motivators’ to provide basic mental health support in the community, and is part of the psychiatric team at a government hospital. Khadiza tells us that many people experiencing mental health issues delay seeking help due to stigma and discrimination, “Due to cultural beliefs, Bangladeshi people often believe that a person with abnormal behaviour has ‘gone mad’ or has been possessed by the devil in which case they remain untreated which causes prolonged suffering.” You can read Khadiza’s full interview in our next issue of Lepra News. Khadiza works with the Mind to Heart Project which aims to reduce anxiety and depression in people affected by leprosy and LF alongside improving access to mental health provision.

Help us support the emotional health of vulnerable people When 40-year-old Sujola (left) first discovered she had leprosy, she found it hard to come to terms with her diagnosis. Bizly, a volunteer Mental Motivator from the Mind to Heart project visited her regularly and spent time chatting to her about how she was feeling. Recognising that Sujola was struggling significantly with her mental heath, she was referred for professional counselling. Over time, Sujola’s emotional health improved and her overall wellbeing improved, “I am really happy to have had this support, I feel more relaxed these days” Read more about Sujola’s journey of recovery. Your support can help us train more Mental Motivators in community support, enable us to provide further counselling sessions, and raise awareness so that people no longer associate mental health issues with shame. Thank you, Jimmy Innes Chief Executive, Lepra UK