Raising a child with special needs is challenging, but it's even more challenging when you find yourself going through it alone. On 21st October 2023, we had caregivers of special needs children from Nkaimurunya primary school attend a mental health session. We also offered them a platform to share their stories and encourage each other as they support their children's growth.
#nohealthwithoutmentalhealth
There are a lot of myths around the cause of mental health illnesses in the society. These myths form the foundations of stigma towards caregivers & children with special needs. Our counsellor, Dr Margaret, educated the caregivers on the need to understand the causes of mental health illnesses to help them protect their children from harm and stigma associated with the myths.
Simple physical activities can be a great way of relaxing the mind. Immaculate, a counsellor, equipped the caregivers with simple exercises to perform whenever fatigue, stress and despair hits.
The caregivers joined focused group discussions to share their experiences in raising children with special needs. These groups form a safe space for the parents to open up about their challenges, stigma, victories and losses with others that could have gone through the same.
Scandicare directors, training facilitators, field officers and parents posed for a group photo after the session.
Mental health remains an integral part of our work. On 7th October 2023, Scandicare.org offered a psychosocial support session to parents & caregivers of children with special needs at Embulbul primary school.
Parenting is both fulfilling and overwhelming. It's even more demanding for caregivers of special needs children. It strains them financially and mentally. Additionally they are also required to protect their children from stigma surrounding their disability.
A parent sharing in a plenary session his experience of caring for a special needs child.
Immaculate Munyao, a clinical psychologist, took the parents through the various stages of grief to help the parents accept their children's situation. The caregivers shared their personal journeys, the wins and the challenges in raising this group of children.
Scandicare.org team took the initiative to train caregivers of special needs children in Embulbul primary school on the need of taking care of themselves mentally as their health trickles down to their children's well being.
Mental Health Awareness Training @ Arap Moi Primary School on 23rd of September 2023.
The need for self-care was also discussed in a bid to address the fatigue and the mental hardships in caregiving to special needs children.
ScandiCare is committed to supporting children with special needs. We held a mental health awareness session on September 23rd, 2023, with parents of children with special needs at Arap Moi primary school, Kajiado North. Psychosocial support for caregivers is important in fostering the well-being of both the child and the caregiver, in and outside school.
The parents had an intimate session with Scandicare field officer Ms. Evelyn, narrating their journey in raising special needs children and the stigma they encountered in the process; this was done in a safe space.
Our professional counsellor Dr. Margaret Mwaura took the parents through the various causes of special needs in children while demystifying the myths around the same.
ScandiCare team conducted a Mental Health Awareness Session on 2nd September 2023, to Parents and Caregivers of children with special needs from Nakeel Primary School, to address their psychosocial support needs.
Dr. Margaret Mwaura, a psychologist and counsellor takes the parents and caregivers through a Mental Health Introduction session.
Immaculate Gitonga a Counselling Psychologist conducts a self-Care session to parents & Caregivers
A self-care outdoor exercise session to Parents & Caregivers
A group therapy session on social stigma being conducted by Immaculate Gitonga, a Counselling Psychologist
Menstrual Hygiene Day At Wandui Primary 27th of May, 2023
Mental Health At Oloolua Primary 13th of May, 2023
Mental Health, Training At PCEA NKOROI Church 8th of April, 2023
Mental Health, Training at Ongata Ronkai Primary 18th of March, 2023
Mental Health, Training Of Trainers 11th of March, 2023
