10 persons with lived experiences of mental health illness given equipment to improve their businesses

Ten persons with lived experiences of mental health illness have been presented with various equipment to enable them upscale their businesses.

The equipment, donated by BasicNeeds-Ghana, a mental health and development advocacy organisation, under its Maternal and Mental Health Project, included sewing machines, refrigerators and hair dressing machines.

Presenting the items on Saturday in Accra, Sunday Anaba, Programme Officer, BasicNeeds-Ghana, said the equipment were to empower the victims and make them productive for improved livelihoods.

It was also to enable them reintegrate into their various communities, he explained, adding that “this model is to help them set-up, grow their businesses and make money to be able to feed themselves and purchase their drugs to stay on top of their condition.”

The need for the equipment, Mr Anaba said, was after assessment of various support that could be given to the victims to improve their livelihoods and participate in their communities.

“We ask persons with lived experiences of mental health to form self-help groups in their various communities, so they come together and share experiences and help themselves deal with their condition. Through that, we are able to assess how we can help each member to grow their own business and live decently,” he said.

Since last year, he noted that more than 36 victims in the Greater Accra Region had received similar support, with several others in the northern parts of the country benefiting from the project.

He said BasicNeeds would undertake regular monitoring to ensure that the equipment were used for the purposes for which they were donated.

Diana Kodua Nkansah, a beneficiary who received a hairdressing machine and other accessories, expressed gratitude to BasicNeeds for the support, adding that the machine would help her offer best services to her clients and earn enough money to take care of herself and her family.

BY CLAUDE NYARKO ADAMS