Mental Health Users and Carers Malawi (MeHUCA)- One Year on Orpheuse Chipata Simon Thom

MeHUCA Patient advocacy organisation Made up of people who have or have previously had mental illness and their carers Established on 27 th February 2010 Launched officially at Annual Malawi Mental Health Research & Practice Development Conference 19 th March 2012

Aims To look for the rights and welfare of people with mental illnesses – Access to medication – Support from the community – Community sensitisation Fight discrimination Establish support groups

Activities over the past year Establishing support groups – Chilomoni – Zomba Mental Hospital – Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital Each had own election and nominated own committee to run local action

Activities.. World Mental Health Day – Government cancelled planned celebration due to lack of funds – Event took place at College of Medicine – TV and radio interviews took place with various members of MeHUCA Meeting with other patient organisations: NAPOM, Journal Aid

Activities Luncheon with President Dr. Joyce Banda 30 th November 2012 with other disability organisations Attendance at public debate on discrimination against mental health disability, Lilongwe, Crossroads Hotel (Hermes Tebulo) Human Rights Commission Workshop in Blantyre (Lawson Tewesa)

Successes User whose service was terminated was re- employed with help from Fedoma People with mental illness now know their rights through awareness campaigns on radio and TV

Challenges Lack of funds – To have a lawyer to work on discrimination cases – To support communities to access medication from central clinics – To have an office where people can seek help – To be able to travel to district health centres to visit support groups

Future Plans More support groups in the Northern and Central Region Anti-stigma work – Presentations/ Testimonials planned in Chilomoni to schools, police and traditional leaders – MeHUCA film Work with SMMHEP to establish support groups and community sensitisation in the district health centres over the next 3 years

Comments or suggestions?