Page 34
RECONNECT HEALTH DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE
Reconnect HDI Eve of mental health at h
W
l Vincent Udenze President,of Reconnect HDI Consultant Psychiatrist, Professor Mohan, Marva Clarke, Trustee, Lynne Clarke Treasurer and Tony Sikabofori, Consultant Psychiatrist
The Phoenix – May 2016
ith UK-based charity, Mind, finding that local authorities in England spend an average of 1.36 per cent of their public health budget on mental health, the situation in many other countries would appear even worse – to none-existing. For that, the work of Reconnect Health Development Initiative, ReconnectHDI, is far greater and fully deserved of attention and ongoing support. And, with that in mind, the NGO (None Government Organisation) is working diligently, both home and abroad, towards creating awareness to help address the issue of stigma as it relates to mental health and inform, advocate and enable access to quality mental health services and be a signpost for people suffering from psychological and drug challenges. At JoJolapa Nepalese Restaurant, in Birmingham, president of Reconnect HDI, Dr Vincent Udenze, a Consultant Psychiatrist at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, with endorsement in substance misuse psychiatry, explains; “There’s a disconnection throughout families, the home, workplace ,communities and further afield and stress from this disconnection
is allowing mental illnesses to thrive. People are disconnected with the pains in their lives. Reconnect HDI, is all about empowering people without choice – to reach and give them the much-needed help and attention they are afforded. In many cases people develop a state of mental ill-health for a variety of reasons – so it’s about putting preventative measures into place, where possible, facilitating treatment – allowing them to re-connect with everyday society. Our organisation and its partners seek to establish grassroots actions to provide compassionate and concrete solutions. And by working alongside people with mental health issues, we form a community of help and support. It’s time to start reconnecting with people and communities when it comes to mental health issues” For him, this becomes more personally as a Nigerian based here in the UK. “Despite the very minimal financial funding, from the government here, the fact that there is an NHS which looks after the mentally ill and substance abusers irrespective of socioeconomic strata is something fantastic , in comparison to Nigeria where, with no welfare state, people with mental health issues with no finances are at worst, ignored,
l Dr Jasmeet Bedi and Mr Clarke l Jean Igwegbe, Program lead for ReconnectHDI, Nigeria during a visit to a displaced people’s camp in Borno state to carry out a mental health awareness campaign
l Dr Vincent Udenze and a clinical psychologist Alex Agara (ReconnectHDI discussing psychosocial intervention initiatives at a camp with 11,000 displaced people following Boko Harram insurgence in northeast Nigeria
l Vincent Udenze President,of Reconnect HDI Consultant Psychiatrist, Professor Mohan, and Marva Clarke, Trustee with attendees on the night