Hesperian Health Guides
Ways to Improve Your Community’s Mental Health
HealthWiki > Where Women Have No Doctor > Chapter 27: Mental Health > Ways to Improve Your Community’s Mental Health
Identify those who are at risk for mental health problems.
Women are at risk if they have:
- had mental health problems in the past.
- lost family members or are separated from their families.
- witnessed violence or have a violent partner.
- little social support.
Look for other signs that may indicate mental health problems. If you suspect that someone has a mental health problem, get to know her better. Listen to what other people are saying about how she is acting and and ways she has changed. Since family situations, community values and stigma, and local emergencies can all affect mental health, think about how these may contribute to the problem.
Build on a woman’s strengths. Every woman has developed ways to manage everyday problems. Help a woman identify successful ways she has dealt with problems in the past and how she might use these strengths in her present situation.
Work with a woman’s traditions and culture. Every community has traditional ways of dealing with mental health problems, such as prayer and ritual. Try to learn as much as you can about a woman’s traditions and how they may be a source of strength for her. Anything that helps a woman recognize or give meaning to her experience can help her mental health.
Remember that there are no quick solutions to mental health problems. Beware of anyone who promises this.
The most important part of any treatment is to make the woman feel supported and cared for. Try to involve people in her life who can help with this.
Ask for help when you need it, especially if you are a health worker. If you do not have experience working with a specific mental health challenge, try to talk to a mental health worker who does. Also, listening to other people’s problems can make you feel burdened, especially if you listen to a lot of people with difficult problems. Watch yourself to see if you are feeling pressured, if you are losing interest in helping others, or if you get irritable or angry easily. These are signs that you are making other people’s problems your own. Ask for help and try to get more rest and relaxation so you can work effectively.