INTRODUCTION
Mon
Foundation is a non profit earning organization in Kolkata, registered
under Societies of West Bengal Act XXVI of 1961. A group of mental health
professionals i.e. Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Counselors, Psychiatric social
workers runs this organization since 1992.
The
focus of Mon Foundation has been primarily
been in the area of mental health – Awareness, Care, Research, Training and
Publication.
Philosophy
of the Organization
The
guiding philosophy behind Mon Foundation is our belief that mental health
affects all facets of an individuals life – physical, social, interpersonal,
occupational, economic and spiritual. Therefore an all round effort is
necessary to prevent the impairment and treating it as early as possible so as
to limit the disability.”
Aims
and Objectives
Our
mission is to enhance psychosocial competence in an individual and reduce the
suffering caused by mental health problems.
We
aim to improve the quality of life for the sufferers and their caregivers.
- To promote mental health awareness.
- To conduct research and offer training in mental health
and related fields.
- To work in the area of child mental health- research and
planning of intervention strategies.
- To conduct advocacy programmes with other government and
non- government agencies regarding mental health issues.
Activities
It has been 16 years since Mon Foundation came into existence.
In these years many activities have been targeted to bring into focus mental
health issues before the larger community.
Our Projects
:
We have been running “Mental Health Programme for Children since
last 11 years, with the support from Child Rights and You (CRY). Here our
effort is to develop a school-based mental health programme as well as
introduction of Life Skills as part of the school curriculum. Almost 52,000 children (directly &
indirectly) had been covered by us through CRY supported programme.
We have been able to reach out a more vulnerable and
marginalized group of children (Child Labour) through the National Child Labour
Project (NCLP), supported by Save the Children, UK.
Research and research tool development:
We
are doing researches on different issues of Children’s mental health like
“Prevalence of mental health problems among urban & rural deprived children
with reference to urban and rural stressors”, “Exploratory study on Corporal
punishment” in Schools, “Psychosocial stressors among Child Domestic Workers”
in Delhi.
We
have developed Children mental health and socio-economic assessment questionnaire
(CMSCAQ), Questionnaire to assess stressors among CDW, Questionnaire on
corporal punishment for students and teachers.
Training:
Resource
persons of Mon Foundation provide training programme to GNM students of Nurse’s
Training Centre, ESI Hospital, PG students of J.D. Birla Institute of Home
Science.
Teachers core group and Students core group:
We
have formed “Teachers core group” from representatives of different schools who
take active role in the development of process and modalities for policy
advocacy on students’ mental health issues.
Student
core group in the urban schools and Youth group in the rural areas have been
formed to make them aware of mental health and to develop their psychosocial
competency.
Counseling:
Mon
foundation provides counseling services to children having mental health
problems.
Awareness Programme:
Awareness
programme with multi stake holders like teachers, parents, community people,
panchayat members, local political leaders etc have been going on regarding
Mental health and its different aspects.
Advocacy and Networking:
Regular
advocacy with policy makers, media, opinion leaders and especially government
organization was carried out throughout the last year. Government department
and organizations covered are as follows:
West Bengal Board of
Primary Education
West Bengal Board of
Secondary Education
West Bengal Council of
Higher Secondary Education.
West Bengal Primary
Teachers Association.
Mon
Foundation is a member organization of FMHM (Forum for Mental Health Movement)
and through FMHM we create awareness & advocacy to the policy makers on
various issues of Mental Health.
Mon
Foundation provide training programme on Mental health problems, Inclusive
education, Life skills education to district coordinator of WBEN (West Bengal
Education Network).
Information, Education and Communication Material:
Publication
has been an area where we have tried to place a great deal of emphasis.
Our
published books are-
- Mental
Health Problems Of school Children(A guide book for teachers)
- Chatra-Chatrider
Manosik Sastha Samasya
- Kishor-Kishorider
Manosik Sastha Samasya
- Porasona
Kemon vabe
- Poruader
Chokhe Iskool
- Moner
Asukh
- Bissanata
- Na
bola
- Bisash
Kake Karbe? Kano
Karbe?
- Jibankusolata
Sikha: Prasikhan nirdesika
Future
Plan and Vision
Our
goal is to reach as much as possible to spread awareness regarding mental
health issues and its relevance in the life of the children. To draw the
attention of the Government to the issue of mental health and to ensure its
integration into the school policies and programmes. We would like to see
mental health promotion activities promoted as a part of school curriculum and
syllabus. We hope that as a result of regular life skills classes we would be
able to develop a generation of children who are competent psychologically to
deal with most of the stresses in their lives.
How
can you help?
Voluntary
help – acting out of choice and free will.
We
would be happy if you join with us and share our goal to achieve it.
You
could help us –
By
offering grants / funds for projects.
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