Healthy Relationships and Assertiveness Class

This week, VIN offered classes on Healthy Relationships to five different communities: Kisendol, Phedi, Panchmane, Kot, and Athmail. Despite the problematic weather and the business of the rice harvesting season, classes within each community had individuals in attendance and were openly received. While some classes were co-ed, others were held specifically for men, focusing on aggression replacement via assertiveness training. Beliefs about healthy versus unhealthy relationships, and how these beliefs are formed, were integrated into discussion to assist with comprehension of the purpose and utility of an assertive response style. Classes were reported to be relevant and useful for both men and women, and with individuals of varying age groups.
 
Based on community feedback regarding increasing class attendance, specifically with the male population, a class will be offered on Saturday this week in the village of Dadagaun. In an effort to reach a more extensive representation of village populations, both men and women of varying ages were encouraged to attend, and an invitation was made to community members from other villages in Jitpur. Due to the probability that a wide range of individuals will be able to attend, and based on information gathered in the villages regarding mental health conditions/issues, several volunteers collaborated to create a presentation focusing on general mental health education and suicide prevention. Prevalent mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders will be addressed, community stigma will be examined, and available resources will be identified. The second half of the presentation will be focused specifically on suicide, a topic that appears to be increasingly relevant to developing communities. Facts, risk factors, protective factors, warning signs, and a community intervention approach to preventing suicide will be discussed.
 
VIN also continued to provide attention and support to individualized cases within the communities. This week, a woman suffering from domestic violence was able to seek counsel from VIN volunteer regarding her current situation. VIN staff and volunteer also continued to work closely with a women’s micro credit cooperative member who has, in previous weeks, been identified as an individual in need of mental health attention. This week, staff and volunteer accompanied this member and her husband to a follow-up appointment with the physician who has been and will continue to be overseeing her case. While the true effectiveness of treatment is yet to be determined, various community members report that cooperative member appears to be improving. Member continues to be compliant with physician instruction and overall appears to be responding positively to intervention. VIN will continue to work in cooperation with physician, community members, family, and cooperative member in an effort to address and advocate for the efficacious treatment of member’s emotional concerns.