On the 9th and 10th of May 2023, Gede Foundation conducted activities in Kwali with health care workers and community members respectively.

The activities are a series of planned consultations that helped to evaluate the outcome of the psychosocial interventions that are being implemented within the Open Minds’ Project, for people affected by leprosy in Kebbi, Sokoto states and the FCT.

Community members and Healthcare Workers met in separate settings to reflect on their roles and responsibilities in the project that started in 2019.

Healthcare workers discussed i) mental health knowledge and service delivery, ii) mental health assessment tools, and, iii) safeguarding. The engagement helped to ensure that healthcare workers stay up to date with their knowledge as well as execution of their duties regarding mental health.

Community members (comprising of Community Heads, Parents, Carers, Children and Youths) had sessions that reflected on mental health stigma, barriers and challenges in accessing mental health services at the health facilities. In both settings, there are improvements in knowledge about mental health, access to mental health services and reduction in mental health stigma and discrimination among people affected by leprosy.

Discussion were led by mental health and safeguarding experts including a mental health champion with lived experience of mental health problems. Community members expressed that they’ve been putting healthy coping mechanisms into their everyday lives—some of which are through sports, music, peer group discussions and other forms of extra-curricular activities.

This Project is funded by Comic Relief UK, and implemented in 2 states and the FCT by Gede Foundation, The Leprosy Mission England and Wales and The Leprosy Mission Nigeria.

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