HElP MINIMIZE EPILEPSY IN LIBERIA - The One Nimba House Media

Overview

Help Minimize Epilepsy in Liberia (HMEL): Empowering a Nation Towards Epilepsy Awareness, Advocacy, and Access to Care

Help Minimize Epilepsy in Liberia (HMEL) is a dynamic initiative dedicated to transforming the lives of people living with epilepsy across Liberia. Through a robust blend of awareness, education, and advocacy, HMEL addresses the stigma surrounding epilepsy, drives critical improvements in healthcare accessibility, and fosters community support for individuals and families impacted by this often misunderstood.

Mission Statement:

To enhance the quality of life for individuals living with epilepsy in Liberia by providing comprehensive care, support, and education, while working to eliminate stigma and promote accessibility to essential medications and treatment.

Vision Statement:

A Liberia where individuals with epilepsy have equitable access to quality healthcare, are free from stigma and can lead fulfilling lives with dignity and support.

Core Values:

A commitment to empathy, integrity, inclusivity, collaboration, and sustainability guides efforts to support individuals with epilepsy and their families through transparent, ethical, and equitable practices, fostering resilient and lasting impact.

Program Goals:

Increase Access to Epilepsy Care: Expand the reach and availability of epilepsy treatment and support services in Nimba County and surrounding areas.

Raise Awareness and Reduce Stigma: Educate communities about epilepsy to reduce stigma and promote understanding.

Enhance Support Systems: Strengthen support networks for individuals with epilepsy and their families.

Here are some impactful contributions by the Help Minimize Epilepsy in Liberia Campaigners:

Increasing Awareness: The campaign has raised public awareness about epilepsy, reducing misconceptions and stigma. By educating communities about epilepsy as a medical condition rather than a “curse” or supernatural issue, they have helped foster understanding and support for individuals affected by it.

Improving Access to Treatment: Through collaborations with health officials like Dr. Moses Ziah II, the Director of the Mental Health Unit at Liberia’s Ministry of Health, the campaign has facilitated access to medications, such as Carbamazepine, which has proven effective for individuals like Johnny Prince Dahn.

Educational Advocacy and Reintegration: The campaign has enabled individuals with epilepsy to return to school and pursue their education, evident in Johnny Prince Dahn’s story. Such reintegration into educational systems helps break cycles of poverty and marginalization tied to the stigma of epilepsy.

Support Networks for Individuals and Families: By building connections among those affected, caregivers, and mental health professionals, the campaign has fostered a sense of community and support. This is crucial for improving the overall well-being of those with epilepsy and their families.

Policy Engagement: By working with officials at the Ministry of Health, the campaign has contributed to efforts aimed at policy development for mental health and neurological disorders, potentially influencing future policies to support epilepsy management and broader mental health services.

These actions collectively help shift public perception, enhance the quality of life for individuals affected, and encourage systemic change for better mental health resources in Liberia.