SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD programme has been a chance for a mentally ill person and their family to work their way out of poverty.
Sustainable livelihoods is also helping mentally ill people earn a wage that is vital to their long-term recovery as it secures their treatment and builds an invaluable sense of self-esteem and confidence.Getting a job also goes a very long way to combating stigma. People often think that mentally ill people can’t contribute to their family’s income and all they are is a drain on their family and their community. Once mentally ill people prove that they can do something constructive and make a worthwhile contribution to their family and their community.
Participation of people with mental illness and epilepsy (PWMIE) and their carers in livelihood activities is empowering, contributing to poverty reduction, building confidence and reducing stigma through the public seeing PWMIE participating in activities valued by the community. SHGs and Mothers Groups have their capacity built to become inclusive and integrate PWMIE into their group. PWMIE and carers have their technical capacity built in vocational and business management skills as well acquiring knowledge of their social and economic rights. In turn this contributes to the overall objective by reducing stigma associated with mental illness,increasing the respect and social standing of PWMIE enabling them to live with dignity.