With the support of a psychologist and the sponsorship of a commercial space, 70 women from the neighborhood of Jangurussu of Fortaleza have received information, awareness and support in September to assess one’s own mental health and recognize risks in the environment in time.
Since 2003, September has been dedicated to mental health and on the 10th, the World Suicide Prevention Campaign Day is celebrated, sponsored by the World Health Organization. During the so-called “Yellow Month” campaigns are promoted to prevent suicides, a fatal behavior that can be prevented in up to 90% of cases.
Suicide is currently the second cause of death in people between 15 and 29 years old in the world. 800,000 people commit suicide each year, 11.4 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, or a suicide every 40 seconds. There are more than the victims of war or natural disasters, without even counting the uncompleted attempts.
Eliene Duarte is a renowned psychologist from Fortaleza (Ceará, Brazil), health specialist mental and motivational speaker. She wanted to collaborate with the Saint Augustine Psychosocial Center, project of the Augustinian Recollects in this Brazilian city that comes to support families of low resources in order to create conscious citizenship and avoid cases of abuse, exploitation or abandonment of minors.
Most of the beneficiaries of the Psychosocial Center are mothers at the head of families single parents with minor children in their care. They do not usually have fixed incomes or Much support from public social services. This implies that they carry some burdens often unbearable with significant impacts on their mental health.
Duarte discussed very delicate topics with them with empathy and wisdom, she offered valuable ideas on how to address the stigmas associated with mental health and encouraged seeking help whenever necessary, to take care of emotional health as much as we usually do with our health physically and to support each other.
She also addressed the recognition of the environment to be prepared and recognize before that the signs that announce suicide attempts are too late. These women do not only live in situations of constant emotional stress, but their environment is itself producer of a great diversity of social and personal tensions.
The marketing company Supermercados Marcos collaborated in this training and information event about mental health wanted to sponsor this training talk and the distribution of information printed on mental health care. Through this social responsibility corporate action has created a positive impact in the community in the fight for dignity and culture of life.
The event took place at the facilities of the Saint Augustine Psychosocial Center, which accompanies usually help these women in their daily lives with home visits, support from social workers, training and information on aid and official departments that provided according to each case or need.
The facilities of the Psychosocial Center, provided by the Parish of Saint Francis of Assisi, which also actively participates in the social promotion of the neighborhood, have become a space for its beneficiaries safe, welcoming environment, where you can share concerns, opinions and grow in active citizenship.
“It is crucial that we address mental health in an open and supportive way,” said Eliene Duarte. “The Yellow September campaign is an opportunity to remind everyone that Mental health is as important as physical health. Let’s be aware of the people who surround us to know how to offer them support and understanding. Together, we can change things.”
The final result, according to the participants, has served as an engine of hope, inspiration and recognition that no one is alone when facing their traumas, difficulties and tensions. Collaboration, empathy and compassion are values that can practice by people, professionals, institutions and companies to improve the quality of life for everyone.
