" HEEALS ": July 2020

Friday, 10 July 2020

GIRL CHILD EDUCATION !

GIRL CHILD EDUCATION-Pooja Sarkar

Every day, girls face barriers to education caused by poverty, cultural norms and practices, poor infrastructure, violence and fragility. Therefore, here at HEEALS, GIRLS’ EDUCATION is a priority.

“Education is one thing no one can take away from you”- Elin Nordegren . Also, as rightly said in the African proverb, ‘‘if you educate a man, you educate an individual. But if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.”

Girls’ education goes beyond getting girls into school, it is ensuring that girls learn and feel safe while in the school. Education is the key for women to achieve economic independence. It is also ensuring that girl child complete all levels of education with the rightful skills necessary to navigate and adapt to the changing world. That the education give them the freedom of making their own rightful decisions about their life and also contribute to the communities and the world.

Although women in the majority of countries have the right to education, the problem lies in the equal access to education. In many developing countries, millions of women do not complete their education because they are forced by their society, by their circumstances or by the threat of violence to focus on household or care giving. Better educated women tend to be healthier, earn higher incomes and participative. They enable better education for their children and better health care. All these factors combined can lift not only their households but also their communities and the nations out of poverty and social norms.

HEEALS is a Non Profit Organization which aims to safeguard health, environment, education and livelihood to promote sustainable development of society. Poverty remains the most important factor for determining whether a girl can access an education. Studies show that girls who face multiple disadvantages such as low family income, living in remote areas or locations, disability due to belongingness to a minority group , are the farthest behind in terms of access to completion of education. These factors affect negatively in the access of education. Another example is Child Marriage which is also a critical challenge. Child brides are more likely to drop out of schools and look after the family. This affects the education and health of the children as well as their ability to earn a living. There are many reports showing that around 40000 girls under the age of 18 years get married every day. This should be put to an end to increase women’s expected education attainment and their earnings.

Every day Girls face barriers to education due to many reasons caused by poverty, cultural norms, poor infrastructure, and many more reasons we are unheard of. HEEALS with its volunteers and interns from different regions are working together with girls and women and through the medium of Documentary films and art is trying to create awareness among the masses about girl child education , menstrual hygiene , sanitation and safe drinking water and trying to relate how girl child education id also directly related to poor sanitation facilities, unsafe drinking water and lack of knowledge to obtain the same.

HEEALS relies on our generous sponsors and donors in order to be able to run our workshops and provide the facilities. If you are interested in providing financial support for our projects and workshops and to know more about projects like our ‘Pads for Girls’ project, please connect with communications@heeals.org. You can also support girls in menstruation and eduaction by talking and creating awareness among them. Also, create awareness among your families, friends and neighbours.

Here at HEEALS, projects focus on Targeting boys and men to be a part of discussions about cultural and social practices and ending child/ early marriage and addressing violence against girls and women.

If you haven’t already, be sure to ‘like’ HEEALS’ page on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter page.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Heeals/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/heeals

Instagram: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/heealsindia/

Kindly Donate To Sustain Our Work In Corona Pandemic

Donation Details Are Below

DONATORS LOCATED IN INDIA

Account Number: 002101200566

Bank: ICICI

Address: ICICI, Gurgaon Branch

Sco-18 & 19 Sector -14, Huda Shopping Center, Gurgaon -122001

RTGS/NEFT IFSC CODE: ICIC0000021

INTERNATIONAL DONATORS

Please email: communications@heeals.org

WHY MENTAL HEALTH IS IMPORTANT !

WHY MENTAL HEALTH IS IMPORTANT - pooja sarkar

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT SOMEONE WHO IS STRUGGLING WITH HIS OR HER MENTAL HEALTH?

May is celebrated as mental health awareness month. But in today’s day and age, it is of paramount importance that we encourage this awareness all year, every year.

With most of us quarantined at home and uncertain of the future, it is natural to feel blue and even panic. Other than that, we all go through tough times sometimes and people help us through them. Other times, we have been worried about mental health. Of family members, friends, relatives, colleagues. However, it is important to hold positive outlook and rejuvenate this time to slow down a bit and most importantly be kind to ourselves.

There are many ways to support somebody you care about. But first it is important to know about Mental Health.

WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH?

Some people call mental health as “emotional health” or our “wellbeing” and it is just as important as our physical health.

We all have times when we feel low and stressed or sometimes panic about stuff. Everyone is different. Sometimes those feelings are temporary and they pass but sometimes those feelings stay and develop into more serious problems and this could happen to anyone of us.

We sometimes may feel weighed down for a long time. It doesn’t stay the same. It is different with different people. It changes as circumstances change in our lives, through different stages. People sometimes feel uncomfortable. This leads people to not talk about it much. But remember it’s healthy to know and say how you are feeling. IT’S OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY.

But how do you know if someone has a mental health problem?

Sometimes it seem obvious when someone is going through tough time, but it is not simple to know if they are going through mental health problem. Sometimes you don’t need to know, but it is more important to respond sensitively to someone who seems troubled.

The world is going through an unimaginable crisis and there are uncertain times that have caught off guard. During these difficult times, a lot of us are struggling with anxiety, restlessness or just sheer despair at the misfortune.

HOW can you help?

There are a number of ways you can help a friend, relative or colleague who has a mental health problem. This is the perfect time to be there for each other. Check up on each other. Make best effort to be there for the people you care about. Also to be there for yourself too.

Talking about mental health

Talking to someone is often the first step to take when you know they are going through difficult times. But when you are aware there is an issue, it is important to go and talk rather than wait. Waiting they will come to you for help might lose the valuable time in getting then support and care when they need you the most. By talking to them and be there for them can help you find out what is troubling them and also can help you find the ways you could help them. It is important to provide an open and non-judgemental space with no distractions.

Listen

Let them share as much as or as little as they want to. Let them lead the discussion at their own pace. Also do not pressure them on telling what they aren’t ready to talk about. Talking can take a lot of courage and trust than listening. Whenever someone share their trauma, don’t start by saying that “you’ve been there, I know how you feel and it will get better”. There is absolutely no comparison. Even if you feel you’ve been there or you have suffered the same fate, resist the urge to make it about you. You listen. You don’t have to agree with what they are saying. But ny showing that you understand how they feel, you are letting them know that you respect their feeling.

Don’t try to diagnose or second guess there feelings.

Try not to make assumptions about what is wrong and why. Don’t jump with your own conclusions or solutions. You should support them. Talk about their

wellbeing, their diet, their day can help them de stress and help them to protect their mental health. Also ask them if the ways are helpful in any ways.

Remember everybody’s mental health deserves to be acknowledged and not ignored. And sometimes its okay to pause and take break from this mad race of accomplishments. Remember no skill will ever be worth more than your mental wellbeing. Indulge yourself in whatever gives you a sense of comfort, whatever helps you breathe.

Also reduce your media exposure. While staying updated about every latest developments, turn up to the stories and podcasts on courage, kindness and hope.

But most importantly talk. Talk your hearts out. We are all in this together.

As they say, the sun will rise again and we will try again.

There are dark times but also there’s light waiting for us at the end of the tunnel and together we all will make it through.

And sometimes, it’s also okay to be not be okay.