Last Friday (October 10th) our Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) teams in Sudan and Ethiopia organized celebrations in honor of World Mental Health Day.
These events raised awareness about the compassionate, skilled mental health care you help us deliver to those who need it most.
Data shows that refugees are especially vulnerable to mental health challenges:
- Refugees are twice as likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as the general population
- Less than 50% of refugees experiencing mental health issues receive adequate treatment
- Refugees who participate in community support groups report a 30% decrease in symptoms of depression and anxiety
- About 67% of refugee children and adolescents exhibit emotional and behavioral difficulties
Here’s how our teams marked the day:
SUDAN:
Celebrations were held in 3 of the regions where we work in Sudan to reduce stigma while raising awareness about mental health issues and the services provided by Medical Teams and our partners*. Over 1,000 people attended the celebrations to learn and enjoy theatrical performances and live traditional music.
“Supporting the mental well-being of individuals during such crises is not just important – it saves lives, gives people the strength to cope, the space to heal, and to recover and rebuild not only as individuals but as communities,” shared Elnayer Mohamed, Senior MHPSS officer with Medical Teams.
In Gedaref, activities included:
- 18 community dialogue sessions reaching 544 individuals.
- Football and volleyball tournaments to promote mental well-being and social cohesion (302 participants from 4-18 years old).
- A state-level ceremony highlighting the importance of mental health within humanitarian and health response systems.
One community leader who attended this event proudly shared, “This time, we celebrated not only with words, but with hearts together.”
ETHIOPIA:
In collaboration with our partners*, we hosted celebrations, education sessions, and community-building activities in 4 locations across Ethiopia. In addition, our teams led creative activities to help tear down social and cultural barriers to seeking treatment and encourage empathy and connection.
Art and storytelling were central to the day’s celebrations.
- A moving poem titled “Voices in the Storm” expressed the struggles and resilience of communities facing crises.
- A panel discussion brought together health professionals, religious leaders, youth representatives, and community elders to commitment to advocating for mental health support in their communities.
- Discussion sessions invited women’s groups, youth associations, and people with disabilities to share, reinforcing the idea that mental health can impact anyone.
Your support allows us to provide these critical resources to people who are struggling to survive amid crisis, war, and displacement.
Thank you for being our partner in healing the minds and spirits of those who depend on us for care.
To learn more about how you support mental health care in our programs, click below!
*Our programming partners in Sudan include the Commission of Refugees and the Technical Working Group (including UNHCR, UNICEF, WHO, INGOS, and other local government bodies) MSF, ALIGHT, CARE, IOM, and the State Ministry of Health (SMOH). Our programming partners in Ethiopia are UNHCR, International Medical Corps, the European Union, and Refugees and Returnees Service.