I would like to make people aware of mental health as this is the month in which all mental health NGOs have the opportunity to bring awareness to the community.
Mental illness affects so many people’s lives, yet so little is known or understood about it in society.
Mentally challenged individuals are just as precious if not more so as they are God’s people.
That being the case, they are in need of homes such as Areyeng Residence, in Tedderfield, to provide them with the love, care and understanding that they so greatly deserve, as we all do.
The perception in society, however, is that they are not worthy or that they have done this to themselves or that they are a burden.
The truth is that they are humans who are not sure of their futures, not sure of their place in this world and they themselves can’t explain what is happening to them, which I am sure anyone can imagine is a frightening place to be.
Areyeng Residence strives to assist these special individuals in finding a place to call home, family and friends that care and protect each other, even when we are faced with many, many financial renovation and government mandate requirement challenges.
If every person in our world could just let go of the stigma attached to mental illness and took some time to be considerate and understanding to these special people, then this world would be a much nicer place to be for all.
I would like anyone reading this to please wear anything green this October. It could be the smallest gesture so this message of breaking the stigma can reach far and wide and maybe open the minds and hearts of so many individuals.
Katherine Mare, manager, Areyeng Residence (082 852 5279)
