Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1539800
18 | www.ChildrensHope.com Over the past couple of years, the country has become an extremely unpredictable, dangerous and volatile environment to live in. Our Haitian staff were becoming aware of a dramatic rise in numbers of depression and even suicide in the community we serve. Mental health isn't a buzzword in Haiti, it isn't something that is popular or widely addressed. However, our staff recognized the community is in desperate need of a program that serves people who are struggling with mental health. We started with a program for children on the street. We were simply giving them a meal and listening to their stories. This grew to a place where we were teaching them to read and write. Frisson, a young man from the childrens' home, is now giving art lessons for these kids on the street! The street outreach has turned into multiple programs serving young and old, all over the community. We have repurposed the surgical center building to be open every day from 8am-4pm serving people like a walk-in mental health clinic. There are 3 groups of 20 people that meet there every Saturday for group therapy. We are also training 40 young people there every Saturday and Sunday. There is a buzz in the mental health center everyday with people who are healing. Last year, we had 111 people graduate from the mental health program; 17 of those people are now working with us to help with this crisis. MENTAL HEALTH