BROADER MISSION AND VISION
Mental illness and emotional well-being have been in the shadows of physical illness, leaving invisible scars of shame, isolation, and internal turmoil. This also leaves caregivers to carry the burden without the needed support, as well as breaking down the emotional well-being of the nuclear family.
According to renowned Mental Health Advocate Vikram Patel, 50 percent of the population in the Western Hemisphere doesn’t get adequate mental health care, and in developing nations, the gap is approximately 90 percent.
Having experienced this gap first hand in India, we are committed to equip these nations with adequate resources through training and supplies. Our goal is to develop an integrative model that includes mental health care into the medical health care practice creating a holistic approach. Ultimately, our goal is to assist local communities to narrow the gap, enabling many more to receive appropriate mental health care.
Quality of life can be experienced through physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. When one is not attended to we won’t be able to live a healthy productive life. Our goal is to educate, equip and embrace:
Educate: family members, clients and caregivers to recognize the symptoms, causes and methods of care. To educate local government entities, schools and medical facilities in this approach.
Equip: clients with the language that will enable them to express, and recognize what they are experiencing. Equip caregivers with the coping tools, and establish adequate resources. Assist local communities by facilitating their participation in the advocacy work of mental health care.
Engage: Get the community to engage in the healing process. Find a bridge to bring mental health to be a part of the medical system. Engage in candid dialogue so that Mental Health is no longer misunderstood and families/individuals no longer isolated.
According to renowned Mental Health Advocate Vikram Patel, 50 percent of the population in the Western Hemisphere doesn’t get adequate mental health care, and in developing nations, the gap is approximately 90 percent.
Having experienced this gap first hand in India, we are committed to equip these nations with adequate resources through training and supplies. Our goal is to develop an integrative model that includes mental health care into the medical health care practice creating a holistic approach. Ultimately, our goal is to assist local communities to narrow the gap, enabling many more to receive appropriate mental health care.
Quality of life can be experienced through physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. When one is not attended to we won’t be able to live a healthy productive life. Our goal is to educate, equip and embrace:
Educate: family members, clients and caregivers to recognize the symptoms, causes and methods of care. To educate local government entities, schools and medical facilities in this approach.
Equip: clients with the language that will enable them to express, and recognize what they are experiencing. Equip caregivers with the coping tools, and establish adequate resources. Assist local communities by facilitating their participation in the advocacy work of mental health care.
Engage: Get the community to engage in the healing process. Find a bridge to bring mental health to be a part of the medical system. Engage in candid dialogue so that Mental Health is no longer misunderstood and families/individuals no longer isolated.
GLOBAL BRIDGES STRATEGY AND ACTIVITIES
We will be developing a pilot program in Pune India and upon its success of implementation branch out to other cities where the need and infrastructure to conduct the work has been identified.
1. Conduct a Needs assessment: through literature review and focus groups for the following reasons: identify the scope of mental illness and its unmet needs; assess the current government policies and support schemes; current service delivery models and the stakeholders.
2. Develop Model of Task Shifting. Using lay people to deliver affordable health care, utilizing a simple message, and taking it to the people.
3. Capacity Building: Partner with Dr. Pamela Smith and Rutgers University International Social Services Department. Identify peer group of MH professionals and core group of family members. Revise final draft with identified focus group. Document the entire process and develop two manuals; one each: one for MH professionals and one for families dealing with MH issues. Select a team of MH professionals as Trainer of Trainers. Initiate Workshops with new curriculums; evaluate results every quarter and make changes based on lessons learned and experiences
4. Network: to collaborate with local organizations that would partner to promote and implement the work of Global Bridges, such as media, technology and the medical profession.
5. Establish Care Centers: to provide one on one counseling, group therapy, ongoing focus groups, and workshops for continuing care. Conduct home visits by lay trainees followed by supervision of Masters Level trained Counselors. Center to establish a resource kit to be provided in the community and to its clients. Conduct ongoing training of trainees at the Center.
We will be developing a pilot program in Pune India and upon its success of implementation branch out to other cities where the need and infrastructure to conduct the work has been identified.
1. Conduct a Needs assessment: through literature review and focus groups for the following reasons: identify the scope of mental illness and its unmet needs; assess the current government policies and support schemes; current service delivery models and the stakeholders.
2. Develop Model of Task Shifting. Using lay people to deliver affordable health care, utilizing a simple message, and taking it to the people.
3. Capacity Building: Partner with Dr. Pamela Smith and Rutgers University International Social Services Department. Identify peer group of MH professionals and core group of family members. Revise final draft with identified focus group. Document the entire process and develop two manuals; one each: one for MH professionals and one for families dealing with MH issues. Select a team of MH professionals as Trainer of Trainers. Initiate Workshops with new curriculums; evaluate results every quarter and make changes based on lessons learned and experiences
4. Network: to collaborate with local organizations that would partner to promote and implement the work of Global Bridges, such as media, technology and the medical profession.
5. Establish Care Centers: to provide one on one counseling, group therapy, ongoing focus groups, and workshops for continuing care. Conduct home visits by lay trainees followed by supervision of Masters Level trained Counselors. Center to establish a resource kit to be provided in the community and to its clients. Conduct ongoing training of trainees at the Center.
