Gracious Life Foundation celebrates first foundation day

Morung Express News 
Dimapur | March 31 

Gracious Life Foundation (GLF) celebrated its first foundation day at Diphupar, Chümoukedima on March 31. 

GLF, a non-profit organisation was established in March 2022 with an aim to serve the community towards a progressive and inclusive development, specifically in the area of mental health. According to its founder, Lisali Humtsoe, who is also a psychiatric social worker and a caregiver, she shared that GLF began with a group of individuals who shared with her a passion to work on mental health issues through their motto, “Better Access Better Future.” 

Diethono Nakhro, State Commissioner for Persons with Disability, who was invited to speak during the event acknowledged the contribution and indispensible work that mental health workers do in caring for their patients which most individuals would not have been able to do. 

“This kind of service is still very new and rare for our state,” she noted. For mental health or mental illness, it can also be regarded as a disability due to the impact it has on the proper functioning of the human body she added. 

She also mentioned that in Nagaland, although the Persons with Disability Act was first enacted all the way back in 1995, it has been unfortunately neglected to a great extend. But at the same time, improvements are being gradually made in providing the services meant for the patients and more needed to be done in the days to come as well. 

Keeping this in mind Nakhro further reminded the people that it is not just the responsibility of the government but as whole, civil societies, church and colony councils included have a crucial role to play in improving this scenario. “The Church, who has got a lot of influence, also needs to ensure that every member is provided an inclusive space for them to thrive and not be bound by stigma,” she viewed. 

When it comes to mental illness the stigma attached to it was much greater, she said as the family themselves fear being ostracised from their community. Moreover, not all individuals are fortunate to have a support system in their personal lives due to which it is up to organisations such as GLF and the like to provide them the essential space for treatment and rehabilitation.  

Initiative and activities by GLF 

According to Humtsoe, they first launched their half way home services which was a community based psycho and social rehabilitation programme designed for individuals recovering from mental disorders who no longer require full services of a hospital in March 2022. This was for both males and females as well, she noted. Their services included treatment counselling, psychotherapy, training on activities of daily living, social and communication skills among others. 

In addition, they have begun providing regular psychiatric OPD services this year at their office for those seeking treatment at a more affordable and accessible manner irrespective of background. 

Another unique feature they have initiated for some of their patients was a skill development programme called, ‘Mind Craft’ which focuses on vocational activities such as making moorah, tar cage, sandal knitting, doormat knitting, basket weaving and brooms. The programme aims at facilitating income generation through work involvement.     

During the programme, a special number was presented by the residents and staffs of GLF and caregivers also took the time to share their working experiences.