France and the United Nations hosted an international donors conference on Wednesday to muster economic support for the suffering nation and people of Lebanon.
The “International Conference on Supporting Lebanon” came on the first anniversary of a massive explosion in the Port of Beirut which left over 218 people dead and the capital city in shambles.
Speaking through a video message sent to participants in the event, Msgr. Miroslaw Wachowski expressed Pope Francis’ and the Holy See’s support for the initiative and the Lebanese people.
Church’s support for Lebanese
The Undersecretary for Relations with States thanked the international community for its support immediately following the tragedy.
He also recalled the Catholic Church’s continuing humanitarian and spiritual assistance to the Lebanese people through her humanitarian agencies.
“On several occasions,” he noted, “Pope Francis and the Holy See have expressed deep concern for Lebanon, which, already afflicted by a serious socio-economic and political crisis, has now found itself facing another demanding trial.”
Nation of peace and fraternity
Msgr. Wachowski pointed out that Lebanon is “a great nation that bears witness to a unique experience of peaceful coexistence over the centuries.”
Rather than leave the Middle Eastern nation’s future to chance or to greedy hands, he urged all to commit to helping the country carry out its specific vocation.
“Lebanon is more than a Country,” he said, “it is a universal message of peace and fraternity.”
Chance for a better future
The Vatican official then renewed Pope Francis’ appeal, repeated at the end of the weekly General Audience held on the same day, to come to Lebanon’s aid in this moment of crisis.
“Let us help its people not to lose hope,” said Msgr. Wachowski, “and let us give the Lebanese a chance to be the protagonists of a better future in their land without undue interference.”
Finally, he expressed the Holy See’s hopes that the donors’ conference will “foster the conditions necessary to prevent Lebanon from sinking further into crisis, allowing it to start out on a path to recovery and an ascent that will be for the benefit of all.”
As Covid-19 cases and deaths skyrocket in Indonesia, stretching the country’s healthcare system to near collapse, a Catholic diocese has launched a mobile vaccination initiative to reach out to marginalized communities.
“Act of compassion”
Serviam Vaccination Service (SVS) is the name of the mobile Covid-19 vaccination initiative by 3 Catholic schools run by the Ursuline Sisters in the capital, Jakarta, Radio Veritas Asia reported. Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo of Jakarta, presided over the inauguration of the service on August 3, blessing the vehicles that will be used to carry out the immunization programme among the marginalized people.
“These cars are concrete manifestations of the act of compassion and sharing of love to people in need,” said the cardinal as he blessed the vehicles.
Joining hands with others
“This vaccination is not a programme but a movement, which means this movement must be done together,” said I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati, Indonesia’s Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, who was present during the occasion.
“This is proof of the synergy of the government, local government, and community institutions to work together to meet the 100 percent vaccination target,” she said during the launch of the drive.
Governor Anies Baswedan of Jakarta also expressed his support for the activity. “We thank everyone,” said Anies at the launch at St. Ursula School. “Jakarta is dominated by densely populated areas. Mobile vaccination cars can reach residential areas,” he said.
Angela Basiroen, head of the SVS committee said 8 vehicles destined for the service will go around Jakarta to vaccinate people, especially those aged 12-17 years, and the vulnerable communities.
“Our target is the marginalized community, but we also go to schools,” she said. Each car can carry 100 to 200 doses of vaccines. The initiative also aims to reach out to residents in areas with a high number of Covid-19 cases and poor communities.
Ursuline motto of service
The Ursuline Sisters, who are particularly dedicated to education, arrived in Indonesia in 1856. “Serviam”, the motto of all Ursuline schools worldwide, is Latin for “I will serve”. It is inspired by the teachings of St Angela Merici, who founded the Ursuline Order in 1535, in Italy.
The Serviam Vaccination Service is the expansion of the Serviam Vaccination Centre that the students and alumni of the Ursuline schools of Sts. Ursula, Thresia and Maria in Jakarta started on March 20, to help the government in the country’s fight to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. Volunteers and health workers also joined the initiative. Initially, the Serviam Vaccination Centre was scheduled to be operational until June 10.
Indonesia’s pandemic surge
Indonesia on Wednesday surpassed 100,000 confirmed deaths, a grim milestone in a country struggling with its worst pandemic wave fueled by the Delta variant. The largest among south-east Asian nations has recorded more than 3.5 million Covid-19 cases since March 2020. July was its deadliest month since the pandemic began, with more than 30,100 deaths — more than triple the 7,914 reported in June.
It took 14 months for the world’s fourth most populous country to exceed the 50,000-death mark at the end of May, and just over nine weeks to double it. The Health Ministry recorded 1,747 new deaths of Covid-19 on Wednesday, bringing the total to 100,636. The figures are believed to be an undercount.
Its current per capita death rate is one of the worst in the region, second only to Myanmar. The World Health Organization says Indonesia’s hospitals are in need of isolation rooms, oxygen supplies, medical and personal protective equipment, as well as mobile field hospitals and body bags.
Catholic Church lends a hand
The Catholic Church in Indonesia has been seeking ways to help in the nation’s fight against the virus, with many institutions offering some of their facilities for the treatment or isolation of patients and reaching out to those who have been hit by the impact of closures.
Jakarta Archdiocese has turned its Samadi Pastoral Centre into an isolation ward. Personnel and staff of the St. Carolus Hospital, which is managed by the Charles Borromeo sisters and a government health center in the area, are helping run the facility. The center accepts patients regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status, as long as they have mild and asymptomatic symptoms of the disease.
Logo of the European University Sports Association (EUSA)
The bidding process for the 2025 European Universities Championships and the 2026 European Universities Games is open for host city partners.
LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA, August 4, 2021 /EINPresswire.com/ — The bidding process for the 2025 European Universities Championships and 2026 European Universities Games is open, inviting interested city host partners to submit their applications.Both types of events are governed by the European University Sports Association (EUSA), alternating between the Championships and Games. The very first championships took place in 2001, at first on an annual basis before the introduction of the European Universities Games in 2012. The Games are now held every even-numbered year, and the Championships every odd-numbered year.
EUSA sports events – the European Universities Games and the European Universities Championships – annually bring together over 4000 participants from 40 European countries, teams and athletes representing their universities. Student athletes from over 400 universities take part in these events every sports season.
The list of the 21 available sports for men and women on the EUSA sports programme is: 3×3 Basketball, Badminton, Basketball, Beach Handball, Beach Volleyball, Chess, Football, Futsal, Golf, Handball, Judo, Karate, Kickboxing, Orienteering, Rowing, Rugby 7s, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Volleyball and Water Polo, not including additional sports which may be suggested when bidding for the European Universities Games.
The events, especially the European Universities Games, bring together not only student athletes competing in their sport, but also sports experts and higher education representatives, enabling exchange of experience through educational events accompanying the sports events.
Deadline for submission of the bid is October 1, 2021 for the European Universities Games, and December 1, 2021 for the European Universities Championships. Please consult the national university sports association in your country on the possibilities and needed steps or submit your queries directly to the EUSA Office.
About EUSA: European University Sports Association is the governing body for higher education and collegiate sport in Europe, bringing together national university sport bodies in 46 countries in Europe. EUSA is an associate member of the International University Sports Federation (FISU), consultative member in the Council of Europe’s EPAS, and partners with the European Commission, European Olympic Committees, European Paralympic Committee, European Non-Governmental Sports Organisation, European Fair Play Movement, European Athlete as Student Network, European Students’ Union and sports governing bodies.
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p class=”contact c6″ dir=”auto”>EUSA Office European University Sports Association +386 1 256 00 56 office@eusa.eu Visit us on social media: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
On August 5, 2021, the US Representative Office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI-US) will host an online briefing, featuring notable human rights and Iran policy figures.
New Book Makes the Case for Raisi’s Accountability
WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, August 4, 2021 /EINPresswire.com/ — Washington, DC – On Thursday, August 5, 2021, the U.S. Representative Office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI-US) will host an online briefing, featuring notable human rights and Iran policy figures. The discussion will focus on the challenges of implementing an appropriate Iran policy following the inauguration of Ebrahim Raisi, internationally recognized for his crimes against humanity and his key role in the massacre of some 30,000 political prisoners in 1988.
The NCRI-US will release a new book, “IRAN: Call for Justice; The Case to Hold Ebrahim Raisi to Account for Crimes Against Humanity.”
The speakers are the Honorable Michael Mukasey, 81st U.S. Attorney General; former U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman; and Mr. Geoffrey Robertson QC, a distinguished human rights barrister, academic, and author.
Mr. Alireza Jafarzadeh, deputy director of the Washington Office of the NCRI, and author of The Iran Threat, will present the new book and moderate this timely event.
WHEN: Thursday, August 5, 2021, 11 am – 12:00 pm EDT
RSVP is required. To register for the webinar, please contact: media@ncrius.org
# # ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ These materials are being distributed by the National Council of Resistance of Iran-U.S. Representative Office. Additional information is on file with the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.
NCRI-US National Council of Resistance of Iran – US Rep. Office email us here
… to host a book drive that will donate new books to students … in those two areas.
“The Summer Book … City Center Books-A-Million or select a different book from the … store to purchase and donate.
Only books purchased …
Report by Independent Investigators Find NYS Governor Sexually Harassed Multiple Women From 2013 Through 2020
Sexual Harassment Included Unwanted and Inappropriate Groping, Kissing, Hugging, and Comments That Accusers Called “Deeply Humiliating, Uncomfortable, Offensive, or Inappropriate”
Executive Chamber “Rife with Fear and Intimidation,” Enabled “Harassment to Occur and Created a Hostile Work Environment”
NEW YORK – The independent investigators appointed by New York Attorney General Letitia James — led by Joon H. Kim and Anne L. Clark — today released their report into the multiple allegations of sexual harassment by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. After nearly five months, the investigators concluded that Governor Cuomo did sexually harass multiple women — including former and current state employees — by engaging in unwanted groping, kissing, and hugging, and making inappropriate comments. Further, the governor and his senior staff took actions to retaliate against at least one former employee for coming forward with her story. Finally, the Executive Chamber fostered a “toxic” workplace that enabled “harassment to occur and created a hostile work environment.” The investigators find that Governor Cuomo’s actions and those of the Executive Chamber violated multiple state and federal laws, as well as the Executive Chamber’s own written policies.
The investigation was conducted after, on March 1, 2021, the Executive Chamber made a referral, pursuant to New York Executive Law Section 63(8), for Attorney General James to select independent lawyers to investigate “allegations of and circumstances surrounding sexual harassment claims made against the governor.” Kim and Clark were chosen to lead the investigation on March 8, 2021.
“This is a sad day for New York because independent investigators have concluded that Governor Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women and, in doing so, broke the law,” said Attorney General James. “I am grateful to all the women who came forward to tell their stories in painstaking detail, enabling investigators to get to the truth. No man — no matter how powerful — can be allowed to harass women or violate our human rights laws, period.”
Starting in December 2020, multiple women came forward with allegations that Governor Cuomo sexually harassed them. Over the course of the investigation, the investigators interviewed 179 individuals. Those interviewed included complainants, current and former members of the Executive Chamber, State Troopers, additional state employees, and others who interacted regularly with the governor. More than 74,000 documents, emails, texts, and pictures were also reviewed as evidence during the investigation.
Backed up by corroborating evidence and credible witnesses, the investigators detail multiple current or former New York state employees or women outside state service who were the targets of harassing conduct on the part of the governor.
As part of the investigation, Governor Cuomo also sat with the interviewers and answered questions under oath. While the governor denied the most serious allegations, the investigators found that he did so by offering “blanket denials” or that he had a “lack of recollection as to specific incidents.” The investigators also found that the governor’s recollection “stood in stark contrast to the strength, specificity, and corroboration of the complainants’ recollections, as well as the reports of many other individuals who offered observations and experiences of the governor’s conduct.”
Additionally, the investigators found that the Executive Chamber was “rife with fear and intimidation” that not only “enabled the above-described instances of harassment to occur,” but also “created a hostile work environment overall.” Further, Governor Cuomo, himself, and the Executive Chamber engaged in “retaliatory” behavior by “intend[ing] to discredit and disparage” a former employee that came forward with her story of harassment.
The investigation found that Governor Cuomo’s sexual harassment of multiple women and his and the Executive Chamber’s retaliation against a former employee for coming forward with her claims of sexual harassment violated multiple state and federal laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the New York State Human Rights Law, and 42 U.S. Code § 1983, in addition to the Executive Chamber’s own equal employment policies.
Jennifer Kennedy Park, Abena Mainoo, and Rahul Mukhi from the law firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP were all deputized — in addition to Joon H. Kim — as Special Deputies to the First Deputy Attorney General to conduct the investigation and issue this report. Yannick Grant from the law firm Vladeck, Raskin & Clark, P.C. was deputized — in addition to Anne L. Clark — as a Special Deputy to the First Deputy Attorney General to conduct the investigation and issue this report. A number of other attorneys from both Cleary Gottlieb and Vladeck were appointed as Special Assistants to the First Deputy Attorney General to assist with the investigation.
More than 700 healthcare workers and patients have died, and more than 2,000 have been injured in attacks on health facilities since December 2017, according to a three year analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) released on Tuesday.
The Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care from 2018 to 2020, recorded data on attacks on health workers, patients, supplies, ambulances and facilities in 17 emergency-affected countries and fragile settings.
During #COVID19, more than ever, ????⚕️????⚕️ must be protected & respected, & hospitals & health facilities & transportation, incl. ???? should not be used for military purposes – essential conditions for the continued delivery of critical health services.
These included Ethiopia, Yemen, Syria, Mozambique, Nigeria, Occupied Palestinian territory, Myanmar, Central African Republic, and Somalia, among others. “We are deeply concerned that hundreds of health facilities have been destroyed or closed, health workers killed and injured, and millions of people denied the healthcare they deserve,” Altaf Musani, Director of the Health Emergencies Interventions, WHO, told journalists in Geneva.
The WHO initiative has three main pillars of work, which are the systematic collection of evidence of attacks, advocacy for the end of such attacks, and the promotion of good practices for protecting healthcare.
It presents a global overview of attacks on healthcare, the resources that they affected and their immediate impact on health workers and patients.
Deadly outcomes
Giving details of the findings, Mr. Musani, said that “one out of six incidents have led to a patient or health worker’s loss of life in 2020”.
Health workers are the most affected resource, he added, representing “two-thirds of all attacks in 2018, 2019 and fifty per cent of all recorded incidents in 2020,” rather than facilities or supplies.
The report warned that the impact of attacks on health care goes well beyond endangering health providers, especially in light of the ongoing COVID-19 response.
‘Ripple effect’
“Their impact reverberates on health workers’ mental health and willingness to report to work, on the communities’ willingness to seek healthcare and also drastically reduces resources for responding to health crises, among others.”
The “ripple effect of a single incident is huge”, he said, and has “long-term consequences for the health system as whole.”
Mr. Musani called on all parties in conflicts to ensure safe working spaces for the delivery of healthcare services and “safe access to health care, free from violence, threat or fear. “One attack is an attack too many”, he warned.
WHO’s Attacks on Health Care (AHC) initiative was rolled out in December 2017, following a World Health Assembly resolution adopted in 2012, in which Member States requested WHO to provide global leadership in collecting and disseminating information on attacks on health care in complex humanitarian emergencies.
The need for systematic collection of data on attacks on healthcare was further supported by Security Council resolution 2286 adopted in 2016.
The findings are the first body of verified and reliable evidence, which can be used to generate analyses and reports to better understand attacks on healthcare.
The Tokyo Olympics has shown importance of athletes’ mental health, but this shouldn’t be equated with “mental illness” that can lead to forced and damaging treatment with psychotropics, electroshock and other brain interventions.
The Tokyo Olympics has shown importance of athletes’ mental health but shouldn’t be equated with “mental illness” that can lead to forced and damaging treatment
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, August 3, 2021 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Citizens Commission on Human Rights International (CCHR) says that the Olympic Games in Tokyo has raised the importance of mental health issues but says there needs to be a clear distinction between this and mental “illness” treatment today. For decades, psychiatrists have re-defined mental health as “mental disorder” or “illness,” which has stigmatized individuals and led them onto a path of physically damaging treatment that can harm them, but not cures.
CCHR says that because of this, a psychiatric apartheid has occurred, where mental health policy or practice has separated and segregated groups deemed to be mentally ill and discriminated against them with forced hospitalization and treatment, which can be brutal. Jan Eastgate, president of CCHR International says “It can ruin mental health, rather than improve it.”
“The Olympics has brought to light the stresses of athletes competing, their grueling training routines and being under constant public pressure and expectations to win ‘gold.’ It stands to reason that having a solid mental health outlook is a vital part of such challenges but that this can also falter. CCHR applauds all the athletes for not just their dedication and courage but also their service to sport and their respective countries,” Eastgate states.
However, she points out that for more than 50 years, CCHR has exposed and continues to expose rampant psychiatric abuse and treatments that harm mental health. The group’s Mental Health Declaration of Human Rights, written in 1969, lays out 30 points that, if largely implemented by governments and health departments across the globe, could, prevent such abuse from occurring and so enable people to achieve true mental health—a positive outlook both emotionally and in thoughts and actions that enables a better life, not hampered by physically damaging “treatments.”
CCHR points out that psychiatrists diagnose by using descriptive names based on biased observation to redefine not doing well mentally as a physical disease—with not a single medical or scientific test to confirm this. Post WWII, they used the term “mental hygiene” which became synonymous with eugenics and euthanasia and changed the term to avoid negative connotations. Today, it is broadly called “mental health,” but it is important to differentiate between this and psychiatry’s definition of “mental disorder.” The two should not be confused, CCHR says, to avoid being trapped into thinking that a mind-altering drug or electroshock is a medical solution.
In medicine, strict criteria exist for calling a condition a disease: a predictable group of symptoms and the cause of the symptoms or an understanding of their physiology (function) must be proven and established. Chills and fever are symptoms. Harvard Medical School psychiatrist Joseph Glenmullen says that in psychiatry, “all of its diagnoses are merely syndromes [or disorders], clusters of symptoms presumed to be related, not diseases.” Dr. Darshak Sanghavi, clinical fellow at Harvard Medical School also wrote that “there is no blood test or brain scan for major depression. No geneticist can diagnose schizophrenia.”[1]
Although the brain is part of the nervous system, which receives and sends impulses into the body’s system, there’s no scientific proof that mental health thinking physically resides in the brain. But psychiatric drugs and electroshock impact brain function.
The psychotropic drugs prescribed to athletes tend to favor those that are “energizing” and less likely to commonly cause sedation, weight gain, cardiac side effects, and tremor. Side effects may be debilitating for the athlete because of potential performance impairment. Even “energizing” drugs such as antidepressants can cause tiredness, dizziness, weight gain, anxiety, aggression, unusual changes in behavior or mood.[2] Psychostimulants adverse effects include angina, blood pressure changes, blurred vision, depression, insomnia, suicidal thoughts, nervousness, seizures and even psychosis.[3]
These “work” by influencing the normal functions of the body: they speed up or slow them down or overwhelm them. They “mask” mental problems. Meanwhile, they tend to wear out your body. Like a car run on rocket fuel, a person may be able to get it to run a thousand miles an hour to the end of the block, but the tires, the engine and the internal parts fly apart in doing so. “What ends up happening,” wrote Dr. Beth McDougall, a health center medical director, “is that someone feels good for a while and then very often they have to have their dose increased. And then they feel good for a while and then they might have to have it increased again, or maybe they’ll switch agents.” But, “you’re not actually getting to the root of what’s going on.”[4]
CCHR warns that legitimate informed consent does not exist in the mental health system when it fails to inform those needing help that a mental disorder diagnosis is not based on scientific tests and, therefore, any treatment ensuing from this, constitutes “torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.” According to United Nations agencies and the World Health Organization, forced treatment amounts to torture.
A UN Special Rapporteur on health, Dr. Danius Puras said: “There is now unequivocal evidence of the failures of a system that relies too heavily on the biomedical model,” including psychotropic drugs.[5]
Eastgate sums up: “It is important for people to know the differences between mental health and psychiatric ‘disease,’ and to be informed of the failures of the psychiatric profession in ensuring mental health is actually achieved.”
CCHR has been responsible for more than 190 laws that have enacted protections based on its Mental Health Declaration of Human Rights and urges individuals seeking help to review this and what should be their inalienable rights when choosing how to get mental health help. See also CCHR’s Psychiatric Drugs Side Effects Search Engine.
As part of its efforts to ensure the delivery and utilization of stronger and more resilient primary health care and essential health services during the COVID-19 response and recovery, the World Health Organization (WHO) with support from the Government of Canada through the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) is to support strengthening key health systems levels for primary health care and continuity of essential health services within the context of COVID-19 response.
The project focuses on an equity-oriented, gender responsive and human rights-based approach, to reach more disadvantaged populations who are at risk of being left behind. It is implemented under the leadership of the WHO Special Programme on Primary Health Care through the Universal Health Coverage Partnership network—one of WHO’s largest platforms for international cooperation on universal health coverage and primary health care. This effort aims to respond to the needs and gaps identified by countries and supports the COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, highlighting the urgency of maintaining essential health services and systems.
In March 2021, WHO and the Government of Canada through the Department of Foreign Affairs Trade and Development signed a grant agreement in the amount of 30.38 million Canadian dollars to support 10 countries including South Sudan in delivering stronger and more resilient primary health care and essential health services during the COVID-19 response and recovery.
“We appreciate this contribution of the Canadian Government. The Ministry of Health, COVID-19 Incident Management Team will work closely with WHO and partners to ensure the successful implementation of the project”, said Dr John Rumunu, Director General for Preventive Health Services, Ministry of Health South Sudan.
“Canada is committed to ensuring the people of South Sudan have access to quality health services. Through this partnership with WHO, people who are most in need, and whose health situations have been exacerbated by the pandemic—particularly women and girls—will have access to the essential health and nutrition services, including medicines, that they require”, said H.E. Ambassador Jenny Hill, Canada’s Ambassador to South Sudan.
“The implementation of the Government of Canada project will contribute to strengthening essential healthcare services and greatly improve health systems to ensure that a clear path is established towards attainment of universal health coverage (UHC), health security and other health-related Sustainable Development Goals”, said Dr Fabian Ndenzako, WHO Representative a.i. in South Sudan. “WHO is committed to working hand in hand with South Sudan’s Ministry of Health to ensure that more people can access good quality health services when they need it, without causing them to experience financial hardship, which is the core vision of UHC”.
The Government of Canada is one of WHO’s key partners working together in South Sudan. The partnership goes back a decade, starting in 2011. In 20211, the Canadian Government provided 19.4 million Canadian Dollars to WHO for its six-year Comprehensive Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care project.
“Thanks to our working together these last 10 years the project that comprises of infrastructure, equipment’s and training of health personnel has saved the lives of many mothers and children across the country,” said Dr Ndenzako.
Bridging global commitments with national priorities
Canada’s contribution also enhances collaboration among the 13 multilateral health, development and humanitarian agencies working together under the frame of the Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All (SDG3-GAP) to better support countries in accelerating progress towards the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Primary Health Care Accelerator is among the seven accelerator areas under the Global Action Plan and through this, South Sudan is receiving intensified support for primary health care.
A contribution to the Joint Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction also complements this work by undertaking formative research to identify and analyze specific innovations and modifications made by countries to ensure continued access to and delivery of health services.
More about Canada’s funding support to WHO is available in the WHO Programme Budget Portal. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – South Sudan.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues, which already affected millions, with the impact likely to be felt for years to come. At a high-level summit organized by WHO/Europe and the Government of Greece, ministers and country representatives from the WHO European Region sent a strong message on the importance of prioritizing mental health in the recovery process.
In a groundbreaking declaration adopted during the Summit, ministers recognized the mental health impact of COVID-19 and called for greater investment in mental health services and the placing of mental health support at the heart of the post COVID-19 recovery agenda.
The hybrid meeting, which spanned 2 days on 22–23 July, welcomed high-level political figures, renowned senior technical and scientific experts and community advocates. Discussions focused on critical aspects of mental health, including on mental health services, the impacts of the pandemic on vulnerable groups, aspects of quality of care and the specific impacts on health and care workers.
Throughout the conference, the WHO Technical Advisory Group on the mental health impacts of COVID-19 in the European Region played an important role – following their work collecting evidence highlighting important research, sharing their expertise, and publishing recommendations on how Member States and stakeholders can place mental health at the centre of the recovery from COVID-19.
In addition to exacerbating existing mental health issues for millions across the Region, the pandemic has also brought mental health to the forefront of global discussions surrounding health and well-being, while creating opportunities to address issues like stigma, vulnerabilities and silence.
Speaking to delegates, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, stressed the work already undertaken by WHO/Europe on mental health and emphasized the opportunity that the pandemic presents when it comes to rethinking mental health and particularly mental health care: “Events that shake us to the core, profoundly and collectively change us. Among those ongoing changes, is the general perception of mental health and what it means – a question which, now due to COVID-19, has become a top priority.
“This pandemic provides an opportunity to rethink services, heal the fractures in society that have been exposed and the gaps that have been magnified. This is an opportunity no country can squander – and today marks a turning point in our effort.”
Renewed commitment to mental health
With the spread of COVID-19, the resulting lockdowns and other limits on movement and social interaction have caused a rise in mental health issues, particularly those associated with personal safety, self-isolation, unemployment, financial worries and social exclusion. In many cases, services were disrupted due to lockdown restrictions and reallocation of health professionals.
Mental health services
Rethinking mental health services was a central part of the Summit. In separate sessions, delegates heard from health-care workers and service users – highlighting the challenges of the pandemic.
Katerina Messimeri, from the Social Cooperative of Corfu, spoke of the importance of patient-centric models, saying: “When we contribute to patients, they contribute back to us”.
At the same time, rethinking mental health services also requires support and investment from governments, as Maria Dimopoulou, Head Nurse at the Mental Health Centre of Corfu explained: “Governments need to focus on strengthening the voice of the mentally ill. We need to focus on the regional and the national recovery models – a holistic and human based approach to mental health care. We need to invest financially and above all in human resources – because strong goals and strong people can build the future. And WHO can ensure that no one is left behind”.
Impact on young people
While taking less of a physical toll on young people, the pandemic has caused particular hardship for youth, especially due to the disruption to schooling and their social lives.
Chryssa, a volunteer and activist with Euro Youth Mental Health, spoke of the mental health challenges faced by young people: “One of the most difficult things during this pandemic is that we still need to show up as students or as employees and act as if nothing has happened. We still have to give 100% of ourselves to what we’re doing because life still goes on, even though it barely resembles life as we knew it”.
But while speaking fondly of her volunteering, Chryssa also explained the need for decision-makers to take mental health seriously: “I do know that volunteering cannot be the solution for all the problems that we face. No matter how hard we try as volunteers… I strongly believe that mental health services should be further supported by the government and policy-makers even more now as mental health issues are starting to reveal the real depth of the problem that the pandemic has caused or exacerbated”.
Quality of care
Ensuring the highest quality of mental health care is as essential as highlighting the importance of support for health workers and service users. Quality of care has received increased focus in recent months, with WHO/Europe and the Greek government opening a new sub-office in Athens focusing on quality of care, and government representatives discussed the issue in depth at the Summit.
Quality health services, particularly linked to mental health, were identified as a crucial part of the recovery from COVID-19. This is an issue that affects all areas of health care but is especially crucial for the mental health sector.
As we are now at a crossroads in this critical moment, governments, policy-makers and international actors are rethinking their approach to the quality of mental health care, with patient safety featuring prominently in the discussion.
European Mental Health Coalition
On 30 September in Brussels, WHO/Europe will launch the European Mental Health Coalition, with the attendance of Queen Mathilde of Belgium. The Coalition will convene all affected stakeholders to transform societal attitudes about mental health, aiming to:
address stigma and discrimination;
build accessible, multidisciplinary mental health services in local communities;
revamp primary health care;
strengthen investment in a fit-for-purpose mental health workforce;
address structural and environmental determinants of poor mental health.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues, which already affected millions, with the impact likely to be felt for years to come. At a high-level summit organized by WHO/Europe and the Government of Greece, ministers and country representatives from the WHO European Region sent a strong message on the importance of prioritizing mental health in the recovery process.
In a groundbreaking declaration adopted during the Summit, ministers recognized the mental health impact of COVID-19 and called for greater investment in mental health services and the placing of mental health support at the heart of the post COVID-19 recovery agenda.
The hybrid meeting, which spanned 2 days on 22–23 July, welcomed high-level political figures, renowned senior technical and scientific experts and community advocates. Discussions focused on critical aspects of mental health, including on mental health services, the impacts of the pandemic on vulnerable groups, aspects of quality of care and the specific impacts on health and care workers.
Throughout the conference, the WHO Technical Advisory Group on the mental health impacts of COVID-19 in the European Region played an important role – following their work collecting evidence highlighting important research, sharing their expertise, and publishing recommendations on how Member States and stakeholders can place mental health at the centre of the recovery from COVID-19.
In addition to exacerbating existing mental health issues for millions across the Region, the pandemic has also brought mental health to the forefront of global discussions surrounding health and well-being, while creating opportunities to address issues like stigma, vulnerabilities and silence.
Speaking to delegates, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, stressed the work already undertaken by WHO/Europe on mental health and emphasized the opportunity that the pandemic presents when it comes to rethinking mental health and particularly mental health care: “Events that shake us to the core, profoundly and collectively change us. Among those ongoing changes, is the general perception of mental health and what it means – a question which, now due to COVID-19, has become a top priority.
“This pandemic provides an opportunity to rethink services, heal the fractures in society that have been exposed and the gaps that have been magnified. This is an opportunity no country can squander – and today marks a turning point in our effort.”
Renewed commitment to mental health
With the spread of COVID-19, the resulting lockdowns and other limits on movement and social interaction have caused a rise in mental health issues, particularly those associated with personal safety, self-isolation, unemployment, financial worries and social exclusion. In many cases, services were disrupted due to lockdown restrictions and reallocation of health professionals.
Mental health services
Rethinking mental health services was a central part of the Summit. In separate sessions, delegates heard from health-care workers and service users – highlighting the challenges of the pandemic.
Katerina Messimeri, from the Social Cooperative of Corfu, spoke of the importance of patient-centric models, saying: “When we contribute to patients, they contribute back to us”.
At the same time, rethinking mental health services also requires support and investment from governments, as Maria Dimopoulou, Head Nurse at the Mental Health Centre of Corfu explained: “Governments need to focus on strengthening the voice of the mentally ill. We need to focus on the regional and the national recovery models – a holistic and human based approach to mental health care. We need to invest financially and above all in human resources – because strong goals and strong people can build the future. And WHO can ensure that no one is left behind”.
Impact on young people
While taking less of a physical toll on young people, the pandemic has caused particular hardship for youth, especially due to the disruption to schooling and their social lives.
Chryssa, a volunteer and activist with Euro Youth Mental Health, spoke of the mental health challenges faced by young people: “One of the most difficult things during this pandemic is that we still need to show up as students or as employees and act as if nothing has happened. We still have to give 100% of ourselves to what we’re doing because life still goes on, even though it barely resembles life as we knew it”.
But while speaking fondly of her volunteering, Chryssa also explained the need for decision-makers to take mental health seriously: “I do know that volunteering cannot be the solution for all the problems that we face. No matter how hard we try as volunteers… I strongly believe that mental health services should be further supported by the government and policy-makers even more now as mental health issues are starting to reveal the real depth of the problem that the pandemic has caused or exacerbated”.
Quality of care
Ensuring the highest quality of mental health care is as essential as highlighting the importance of support for health workers and service users. Quality of care has received increased focus in recent months, with WHO/Europe and the Greek government opening a new sub-office in Athens focusing on quality of care, and government representatives discussed the issue in depth at the Summit.
Quality health services, particularly linked to mental health, were identified as a crucial part of the recovery from COVID-19. This is an issue that affects all areas of health care but is especially crucial for the mental health sector.
As we are now at a crossroads in this critical moment, governments, policy-makers and international actors are rethinking their approach to the quality of mental health care, with patient safety featuring prominently in the discussion.
European Mental Health Coalition
On 30 September in Brussels, WHO/Europe will launch the European Mental Health Coalition, with the attendance of Queen Mathilde of Belgium. The Coalition will convene all affected stakeholders to transform societal attitudes about mental health, aiming to:
address stigma and discrimination;
build accessible, multidisciplinary mental health services in local communities;
revamp primary health care;
strengthen investment in a fit-for-purpose mental health workforce;
address structural and environmental determinants of poor mental health.
Capping years of deliberations, the UN General Assembly on Monday established a new platform to improve the lives of Afro-descendants, who have for centuries suffered the ills of racism, racial discrimination and the legacy of enslavement around the globe.
The 193-member body unanimously adopted a resolution establishing the United Nations Permanent Forum of People of African Descent, a 10-member advisory body that will work closely with the Geneva-based Human Rights Council.
The new Forum will serve as a consultation mechanism for people of African descent and other stakeholders, and contribute to the elaboration of a UN declaration – a “first step towards a legally binding instrument” on the promotion and full respect of the rights of people of African descent.
‘Compounding inequalities’
Negotiations on the modalities of the Permanent Forum have been under way since November 2014, when the General Assembly officially launched the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024).
Through the resolution adopted on Monday – which articulates the new body’s mandate for the first time – the Assembly expressed alarm at the spread of racist extremist movements around the globe, and deplored the “ongoing and resurgent scourges” of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
The move comes just days after the Human Rights Council established a panel of experts to investigate systemic racism in policing against people of African descent, and on the heels of a report by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), prompted by the police killing of George Floyd in 2020.
In that report and various public statements, High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet has pointed to the “compounding inequalities” and “stark socioeconomic and political marginalization” faced by Africans and people of African descent in many countries.
The report also notes that “no State has comprehensively accounted for the past or for the current impact of systemic racism” and calls for a transformative agenda to tackle violence against Afro-descendants.
UN-wide expert advice
The Permanent Forum of People of African Descent will be made up of five members nominated by Governments and then elected by the General Assembly, and five additional members appointed by the Human Rights Council.
Among other mandates tasks, it will seek to advance the full political, economic and social inclusion of people of African descent in the societies in which they live – as equal citizens without discrimination, and with equal enjoyment of human rights – and contribute to the elaboration of a UN declaration on the rights of persons of African descent.
The Forum will provide expert advice and recommendations to the Human Rights Council, the Assembly’s main committees, and the various UN entities working on issued related to racial discrimination.
Best practices
It will also collect best practices and monitor progress on the effective implementation of the International Decade’s activities, gathering relevant information from Governments, UN bodies, non-governmental groups and other relevant sources.
The first session of the Permanent Forum will be held in 2022, with subsequent annual sessions rotating between Geneva and New York. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.
Dr. Hari Kalam showing “The Global Peace Trophy for Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam” to HRH Prince JD before being placed in Dr. Kalam Memorial Rameshwaram, India.
Dr. Hari Kalam showing “The Global Peace Trophy for Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam” to Madam Suvarna Pappu before being placed in Dr. Kalam Memorial Rameshwaram, India.
MISSION KALAM Remembrance Day
Madam Suvarna Pappu released a Special Remembrance Video as homage to Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in connection with MISSION KALAM: Remembrance Day, July 27th 2021.
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s story to be narrated globally is the need of the hour and I am fortunate to erect the Hollywood biopic film of Dr. Kalam with the excellent creative acumen of HRH Prince JD.”
— Madam Suvarna Pappu
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA, August 3, 2021 /EINPresswire.com/ — July 27, 2021, Los Angeles, USA.
“Dr. A.P.J. Adbul Kalam lives in millions of his admirers’ hearts as Immortal President forever”, stated by Madam Suvarna Pappu, Founder & Managing Director, Pink Jaguars Entertainment, Hollywood Media & Film Production Company, USA. She being the C.E.O. Royal Affairs, Kalinga Royal Business Conglomerates organized the MISSION KALAM: Remembrance Day virtual gathering on July 27th 2021 to pay homage to Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam who is the acclaimed 11th President of Republic of India.
Pink Jaguars Entertainment celebrated a soulful remembrance of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam where His Royal Highness Prince Jagadeesh Daneti and Madam Suvarna Pappu released a special video with the beautiful memories, thus creating a new abbreviation to RIP as “Returning as the Immortal President”. His Royal Highness Prince Jagadeesh Daneti felt honored to come up with the biopic of a legend who made his mark in the hearts of millions.
His Royal Highness Prince Jagadeesh Daneti gifted the virtual gathering with the special attraction that stirred everyone’s soul, is the participation of Ms. Kalyani who was fondly addressed as ‘Kalyani Teacher’ by Dr. Kalam. She was the lady who taught Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam the Veena (harp), a stringed Indian musical instrument. She shared the moments of his participation in music lessons and the spiritual conversations on Indian scriptures carried with Dr. Kalam. She also mentioned some moments of her interactions with Dr. Kalam during an event where he was felicitated for receiving the prestigious award, ‘Bharat Ratna’. These interactions will be showcased on the silver screen in the upcoming bio-picture. Veteran singer Mr. D.V. Mohana Krishna (the proud disciple of late Dr. M. Bala Murali Krishna) from India sang “Endharo Mahanubhaavulu..”, a stellar composition in Indian Carnatic Music which was much loved by Dr. Kalam.
Dr. Hari Kalam, Chairman of Mission Kalam, USA expressed his deep gratitude to the millions of Mission Kalam followers worldwide for their association and participation in the mission and driving it forward with their dedication. Ms. Lalitha Padmini, Director of Festival Films and Public Relations interfaced with special memories shared by the Members of Mission Kalam. Ms. Mariah Fox, Hollywood Actress hosted the session as a token of special respect towards the J Empire and Dr. Kalam.
The session was attended by International Guests, Mr. Y.H.B. Marwan (Partner, J Empire), Dr. M’Barek Afekouh (Ambassador, International Human Rights Organization, Morocco), Mr. Christopher Corrigan (Hollywood Actor, Partner and Legal Counsel, USA), Ms. Angela Anderson (Hollywood Actor & Producer, CEO, AAITM, USA), Mr. Mark Darko (Financial Strategist & Advisor, Africa), Mr. Tamer Abdelhadi Houssein Ahmed (Specialist Film Fund, Morocco), Mr. Adam Nuetzsky-Wuelff (Partner, Denmark), Dr. Shabreen Sultana Shaik (Convenor: Guntur Chapter of English Language Teachers Association of India) and Mr. Govindarajulu Paravastu (Former OSD, TCR & TM, Tribal Welfare Department, India and Member J Charities), Mr. Srinivas Yanamandra (International Investment Banker) and Ms. Ashley Ford (Hollywood Actress). The respectable dignitaries shared their thoughts on the topic: “If Dr. Kalam met you today, what would you ask him?” which was an intellectual, thought-provoking and emotional dialogue.
There might be thousands of sessions paying homage to Dr. Kalam all over the world but ‘MISSION KALAM: Remembrance Day’ conducted by Pink Jaguars Entertainment stood as the most soulful session as ‘never before and never after’ to showcase the admiration and respect for Dr. Kalam.
Designed for individuals authorized to initiate an involuntary hold, the virtual course is delivered by an attorney and covers basic rights impacted by law.
The lack of reporting on the actual number of people being taken into custody for involuntary psychiatric examinations across the country is unconscionable and must be addressed.”
— Diane Stein, President CCHR Florida
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES, August 3, 2021 /EINPresswire.com/ — Commonly known as the Baker Act, Florida’s mental health law, allows for individuals of all ages to be taken into custody for an involuntary psychiatric examination. However, this law is often misunderstood and misused. With changes made during the 2021 legislative session on the procedure for Baker Acting a child, it is more important than ever to ensure this procedure is understood.According to a new study by researchers at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, only 25 states in the country track involuntary holds with enough data to be analyzed and of those 25, “annual detentions varied from a low of 29 per 100,000 people in Connecticut in 2015 to a high of 966 in Florida in 2018.” Florida initiated more than 210,000 Baker Acts during 2018/2019 across the state with over 37,000 involving children. [1,2]
While Florida recently made changes to the involuntary examination process for children, now requiring reasonable attempts to notify parents, headlines such as “6-year-old Florida girl “traumatized” after being involuntarily sent to mental health facility” and “Florida’s flawed Baker Act rips thousands of kids from school” have been all too frequent spurring the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) to begin offering continuing education on the law. After first receiving approval to host continuing education through the Florida Bar on the Baker Act for attorneys, the move to become a provider through the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling was a logical next step. [3,4,5]
The next complimentary virtual course is being hosted by CCHR on Saturday, August 14th, and will be delivered by attorney Carmen Miller, a former assistant public defender in the Thirteenth Circuit in Tampa, with an extensive background in dealing with Baker Acts. Those in attendance will learn the context and intentions of the mental health law, basic human rights impacted by the Baker Act, changes to the Baker Act process for children and the unintended consequences of involuntary psychiatric examinations. To learn more or to reserve a spot, please call 727-442-8820 or send an email to execdir@cchrflorida.org.
About CCHR: Initially established by the Church of Scientology and renowned psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Szasz in 1969, CCHR’s mission is to eradicate abuses committed under the guise of mental health and enact patient and consumer protections. L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology, first brought psychiatric imprisonment to wide public notice: “Thousands and thousands are seized without process of law, every week, over the ‘free world’ tortured, castrated, killed. All in the name of ‘mental health,’” he wrote in March 1969. For more information visit www.cchrflorida.org
OTTAWA, Canada — The 45th annual conference of the Association for Bahá’í Studies (ABS), held last week, brought together over 2,500 people to reflect on their efforts to contribute to a wide variety of areas of thought and discourse.
As was the case last year, the conference, which is usually held at a physical venue, had transferred online because of the pandemic. Julia Berger, the secretary of the Association’s executive committee explains how the ABS took great care in organizing the program to ensure greater participation in sessions.
“Despite some challenges and limitations from not being able to gather in person, the conference featured thought-provoking and lively discussions.
“Many sessions were held in two parts, with the first featuring pre-recorded presentations made available in advance and the second as live sessions during the conference itself, allowing more time for rich discussions.”
The 9-day conference took place at a time when the global Bahá’í community has been preparing to commemorate the centenary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s passing later this year. Titled “In the Footsteps of ʻAbdu’l-Bahá: Contributing to the Discourses of Our Time,” the conference program drew inspiration from His life and work as a champion of social justice and upholder of the principle of the oneness of humanity.
Participants called to mind ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s unifying approach to contributing to the intellectual and moral life of society. His application of Bahá’í principles to contemporary issues and problems of the age informed discussions as attendees consulted on a wide variety of themes, including the role of journalism in contributing to social progress, the power of film in helping people to overcome prejudices, contemporary efforts to create just and sustainable food systems, and the dual knowledge systems of science and religion as being necessary for the advancement of civilization.
One of the sessions brought together attendees and the directors of the Center on Modernity in Transition (COMIT) to discuss the Centre’s experience with interdisciplinary research on the intellectual foundations of modern society and their possible transformation. The Centre’s work is animated by the idea of modernity as an age of transition toward a future world civilization—one characterized by unprecedented levels of peace, justice, and material and spiritual prosperity.
Speaking about the future of the conferences, Dr. Berger states: “Our hope for the evolution of the conference is that it becomes a punctuation point along a process of learning so that each year participants can explore in-depth Bahá’í teachings, correlate them with perspectives across diverse fields of knowledge, and attempt to apply them to humanity’s current issues and challenges.”
Recordings of selected conference sessions are available online at the ABS website.
“Dyslexia – A Trait of Genius” and “Prisms of Brilliance” are now available for purchase
GLENDORA, CALIF., USA, August 2, 2021 /EINPresswire.com/ — Author and Dyslexia expert Dr. Marianne Cintron has released two new books on the topic of dyslexia. “Dyslexia – A Trait of Genius” and “Prisms of Brilliance” discuss the value of using music to teach dyslexic children how to read.Dr. Cintron is a dyslexia specialist, speaker and author. She holds five degrees and feels called to expose the idea that dyslexia is a trait of genius. She began her 22-year education career – her third career – after substitute teaching in a children’s preschool and a mental health hospital. She wants to unlock the genius of the dyslexic mind and discovered that music eases dyslexia. Based on that, she created a music app and developed a reading program for children. In 2018, she founded a non-profit learning center.
“Dyslexia – A Trait of Genius: How to Unlock the Genius Mind of Your Dyslexic Child” focuses on reading and building self-esteem. The book addresses Giftedness, Entrepreneurism, addressing the Neuroscience of the brain using music, how Innovation fits in, a Unique multisensory approach to teach your child and Success for dyslexic people (GENIUS).
A T-shirt to match “Dyslexia – Trait of Genius” is available for purchases of 10 or more shirts.
“Did you know that 35% of the entrepreneurs in the United States have dyslexia? Also, 40% of self-made millionaires in the United States are dyslexic,” Dr. Cintron said. “My eyes were opened this year to the genius of the dyslexic mind. I capture this in this book, and I hope you are inspired. Dyslexia is not a learning disability but a learning difference!”
“Prisms of Brilliance” seeks to close the achievement gap and stop the school-to-prison pipeline. The book addresses the reading crisis and how scores are dropping despite national mandates to access and intervene for dyslexic students. It outlines the opportunities to help students read using the Orton Gillingham model of Structured Literacy and unveiling how to keep dyslexic students from dropping out of school. The book also examines the role that music plays in student success.
“Research shows that 80% of juveniles in our Juvenile Court system are illiterate. That should make us stop and wonder where we educators, parents and paraprofessionals are missing teaching literacy. Also, research says that 66% of prison inmates are illiterate,” Dr. Cintron said.
… £80,000. The sought after book was one of 500 hardback … , click here .
The sought-after book was one of 500 hardback … premium. 300 of the original books were sent to libraries around … for such a recently published book commanding these kinds of prices …
Philippine Interfaith Movement Against Human Trafficking
A group of Catholics, traditional Protestants and evangelicals in the Philippines has challenged President Rodrigo Duterte to end human trafficking by stamping out corruption by state officials in a country where many people live in modern-day slavery.
The Philippine Interfaith Movement Against Human Trafficking, also known as Pimaht, met on July 31 to commemorate World Day Against Trafficking in Human Persons, UCA Catholic News reported.
Formed in 2012, the group is made up of the three largest Christian organizations in the Philippines — the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, and the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches.
“We need to intensify our campaign against this [human trafficking] modern slavery by addressing its root causes,” the group said during the seminar.
“People are poor, yes, but human traffickers give money to corrupt officials for protection. President Duterte must fire them from their posts.”
Pimaht views human trafficking as an issue of poverty but also of corruption that gives syndicates the courage to prey on young people.
OFFICIALS TURNING A BLIND EYE
When government officials are corrupt, they turn a blind eye to syndicates who abuse minors the group says.
“There’s a need to look at the economic angle. But more than poverty, human trafficking is an issue of corruption. When government officials are corrupt, they turn a blind eye to syndicates who abuse minors,” the group noted.
An estimated 784,000 out of a total population of about 102 million in the Philippines live in modern slavery, according to the Global Slavery Index.
Transparency International ranks the Philippines 115th out of 179 countries on its corruption index.
The government recently claimed the Philippines has met the “minimum standards” in efforts to eliminate the crime despite reporting a rise in trafficking cases.
It pointed to the country maintaining its Tier 1 status in the 2021 Trafficking in Persons Report released by the U.S. State Department in July.
The report also says, however, “Although the government meets the minimum standards, it did not convict any officials for complicity in trafficking crimes and did not vigorously investigate labor trafficking crimes that occurred within the Philippines or provide training to labor inspectors on the indicators of trafficking.
“The government also identified fewer victims than the previous reporting period and resources for law enforcement and specialized services for victims remained inadequate.”
The world football body, FIFA, launched a UN-backed campaign on Monday designed to raise awareness of potentially damaging mental health issues, and encourage people everywhere to seek help when they need it.
The #ReachOut campaign, has teamed up with the World Health Organization (WHO), and the influential Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to underscore how important it is to spot symptoms of deteriorating mental health early.
In a joint press release with WHO, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, said: “This campaign is very important in raising awareness about mental health conditions and encouraging a conversation which could save a life.
“In FIFA’s Vision 2020-2023, we pledge our commitment to make football work for society, and I thank the players and Ms. Enke, who have contributed to this important initiative.
This campaign is designed to promote healthy lifestyles to help combat the symptoms of mental health conditions, and to encourage people to seek help when they need it.@WHO | #ReachOut
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) August 2, 2021
“Depression and anxiety affect rising numbers of people worldwide, and young people are among the most vulnerable. Having a conversation with family, friends or a healthcare professional, can be key. FIFA is proud to launch this campaign, supported by WHO and ASEAN to encourage people to #ReachOut.”
The campaign features some of soccer’s most legendary players, including Aline, Vero Boquete, Cafu, Laura Georges, Luis García, Shabani Nonda, Patrizia Panico, Fara Williams and Walter Zenga.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it is as important as ever to look after our mental and physical health,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. “WHO is delighted to support the #ReachOut campaign, spearheaded by FIFA, to encourage people to talk about their mental health.”
Depression, suicide
FIFA.com also highlights the former Bolton Wanderers and Team GB forward, Marvin Sordell, and Sonny Pike, who at 14, were labelled the ‘next big thing’, about their experiences living and playing with depression.
Teresa Enke also discusses the pain of losing a loved one to suicide, and her work with the Robert Enke Foundation.
Depression affects more than 260 million people in the world while around half of all mental health conditions start by the age of 14, according to the news release. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death in young people aged 15-29.
Among active football players, 23 per cent report suffering from disturbed sleep, while nine per cent have reported depression and a further seven per cent, suffer from anxiety.
Post-retirement anxiety
Among retired players, these figures increase, with 28% struggling to sleep and depression and anxiety affecting 13% and 11% respectively, said FIFA.
Working from home, unemployment, school closures and social isolation have affected people around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic; the challenges for people with mental health conditions, for whom access to treatment has, in many cases, been disrupted, are even greater.
The video awareness campaign features former greats, current players and special guests, who have lent their support to this mental health campaign, and at times sharing their lived experience.
Secretary-General of ASEAN Dato Lim Jock Hoi said, “Mental health and well-being are just as important as physical health and safety. Under the Chairmanship of Brunei Darussalam, ASEAN is taking steps to advance cooperation with external partners on mental health, in order to provide the ASEAN Community with the necessary and appropriate mental health and psychosocial support services.”
Collaboration
Back in 2019, WHO and FIFA signed a four-year collaboration to promote healthy lifestyles through football globally.
The two organisations jointly launched a campaign to combat COVID-19 in March 2020, to share advice on effective measures to protect people, followed by the #BeActive campaign the following month, to encourage people to stay healthy at home during the pandemic. Next came the #SafeHome campaign launched to support those at risk from domestic violence.
More recently, the two organisations teamed up at the FIFA Club World Cup to #ACTogether to promote the need for fair access to COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and diagnostics, and to encourage people to keep practicing life-saving, everyday public health measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and to protect health.
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