Talking Heals: Therapy for Liberian Women & Youth

THANK YOU for supporting RHL's mental health work. It's making a tremendous impact in the lives of women and mothers in rural Liberia. 

I hope that you'll take a moment to look at our impact report below.

I also wanted to share some quotes from former clients. These are women who entered therapy with moderate to severe depression. Here's what a few of them have they said upon completion of the 12 weeks of group therapy.

"I've learned communication skills, solving problems and decision making, and now I'm a facilitator."

"I've learned to cope and find ways to support my children."

"Group therapy helped me to become stronger. I no longer sit and cry and feel hopeless."

"Group therapy made me to find my life meaningful with all of my problems."

"I'm trying now, learning how to reduce too much worries."

"Group therapy gave me courage."

"I regained hope during the sessions."

"I was very downhearted because all of my sisters died of Ebola and all of their children are with me. I've learned to be stronger and working towards finding support."

"I regained my self-esteem and I've overcome my worries. No I can do normal things."

You've helped heal the depression in these women by supporting this project. RHL is the only organization in Liberia providing community based group therapy. It's having an impact and we're working hard to see it continue.

With deep gratitude,

Saundra

saundra@restorehopeliberia.org

Links:

• Meet our team and see group therapy in action!

• Impact Report (PDF)
  

           Restore Hope is pleased to share this update with you on the incredible work being done in Liberia. Since you have supported and hopefully still hold a place in your heart for our Mental Health and Empowerment program, we thought you would appreciate receiving updates.

           As you may recall from the project description there is an epidemic of mental illness in Liberia. Civil war, Ebola, and COVID-19 have all contributed to the unfortunate fact that 1 in 5 Liberians are living with Depression, Anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Yet, only 1% of Liberians have access to mental health services. 

           Restore Hope: Liberia is training community members to deliver high-quality Group Interpersonal Psychotherapy; IPT-G is proven EFFECTIVE, SCALABLE, SUSTAINABLE, and LOW-COST. After only 4 therapy phases RHL has seen phenomenal clinical results” and dramatic programmatic growth.

           The attached two slides showcase the impact that this program is having. Please view them knowing that YOU have helped fuel these early successes through your donation. Slide two has a recorded message with quotes from just a few of the women who have benefited from your support.

            We hope that you will continue to follow the progress of this important program. Our next steps are to:

• Hire staff to guide system strengthening efforts
• Design & roll out robust Quality Assurance/Quality Control measures
• Revise, translate & localize all survey instruments for useability
• Engage Group Facilitators in weekly data collection & data monitoring
• Transition Independent Evaluators to external quality control & ‘spot checkers’

           Thank you again for taking this journey with Restore Hope, and please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions: saundra@restorehopeliberia.org.

Sincerely,

Saundra Williams, Executive Director

• In_Her_Words.ppt (PPT)