World Mental Health Day, a day for global mental health, knowledge and advocacy was, last week, noted worldwide but really it is something that we should be recognising every single day.
Thousands of people around the world are deprived of their human rights which has a considerable impact on the poor, vulnerable and marginalised people of society. So, to mark the 25th anniversary of “World Mental Health Day”, Mental Health in the Workplace, The Sreepur Village arranged an awareness-raising programme, on the campus, for all the mothers.
In the afternoon, the mothers gathered in the Chayakunja meeting room and they each took turns to discuss their emotional struggles, mental pressures and stresses in the workplace. They shared how they controlled their emotions in such challenging conditions. The resident counsellor of the Village also advised them on how best to control their emotions in these situations and provided ways in which they could try to overcome them.
Most of the mothers of Sreepur Village are from an abusive background, they have suffered a great deal from social stigma, domestic violence and poverty. In the Village, we sincerely strive to improve their mental health conditions so that when they are living independently, in society, they can continue their work in the workplace, confidently and emotionally secure.
Out of the blue, at the tender age of 13, Chia found herself sitting on a bridal stage, about to marry a man who was 35 years old. Her parents had arranged the match, finding the man from their nearby locality in Bhairab.
He was a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) businessman who occasionally sold vegetables and fruits on the street. Chia's aspirations and youthful dreams were abruptly interrupted by this sudden marriage. Instead of books, she found herself with kitchen utensils in her hands. She went from feeling like a princess to becoming a servant overnight.
Sumi's journey is a testament to her resilience and determination to create a better life for herself and her child. Her success serves as an inspiration to all those facing adversity, reminding us of the transformative power of support, training, and the opportunity to rebuild one's life.