Help unchain people who are literally chained up in rural Cambodian homes due to lack of awareness about mental health issues and lack of access to services for those who suffer the impact. Your support will match a recent $5,000 donation from King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia.
The destructive legacy of the Khmer Rouge Regime, which took the lives of 25% of Cambodia's population in 4 years, continues to impact Cambodian society at all levels, including widespread poverty and increased mental illness. Lack of awareness about mental health and treatment options prevents people from seeking help, and there is a complete lack of services in rural areas. Faced with intense stigmatization, families feel they have no other choice than to chain their mentally ill family member
This project raises awareness of mental health issues in rural Cambodian communities and demonstrates that there are alternatives to chaining up family members struggling with mental illness. Mobile teams will travel to rural areas to treat patients, educate families on how to care for their loved ones, and train local health workers so more community members can access the care they desperately need.
By bringing care and training directly to the people who need it most, this work will shift communities' attitudes about mental health issues and the help that is available. Families that are overwhelmed will find relief as their relatives with mental illness gain more independence, realize their rights, and finally have the opportunity to participate in society. It will show people that when we dare to care, we can change the world.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
