Mind to Mind Myanmar
mental health matters
Our activities in 2017
Our fifth trip to deliver mhGAP mental health training to GPs
Yet agin, we went to Myanmar delivering the popular mental health training for GPs using the WHO mhGAP (mental health gap action programme) module. This time, it was Pathein and Meikhtila. Both venues hosted the training very well and we had the local psychiatrists joining us and sharing their invaluable experience. It was highly appreciated by the GPs and us alike. We look forward to more joint working with our counterparts although we are conscious of their busy schedules and heavy commitments in low-resource setting.
Research and Psychological Therapies workshop for trainee psychiatrists in Yangon
Our visit in November 2017 was packed with various activities working with different groups of doctors. In Yangon, in collaboration with the University of Medicine 1, we delivered two taster workshops (one on research and publication and one on psychological therapies) for trainee and early career psychiatrists. We were delighted that the Professor of Psychiatry, Research Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University UK, lead the research workshop. We also met with medical students who were interested in psychiatry and had a lively exchange of views and visions.
Training workshop on psychological management of behavioural symptoms in Dementia
In collaboration with Myanmar Neurological Society, we delivered two training workshops in Yangon and Mandalay for doctors, nurses and care providers. Our aim was to raise the awareness of non-pharmaceutical management of behavioural symptoms in patients with dementia. It was led by a consultant clinical psychologist working in a dementia service in the UK. The feedback was positive and we hope it initiated a change in thinking on how to care for and help patients with dementia.
Our fourth trip to deliver mhGAP mental health training to GPs
In February 2017, our team of 6 members of the Royal College of Psychiatrists volunteered our time and expertise to train Myanmar GPs in two different cities: Mawlamyine in Mon State and Taungoo in Bago Division. At each site, the intensive 4 days training was successfully delivered by 3 RCPsych volunteers with help from 2 Myanmar GPs who have done the mhGAP previously. A total of 65 GPs participated and completed the training. We felt very honoured by the enthusiasm of the participants and humbled by their generous hospitality with authentic meals at lunch time.
The inaugural joint UK Myanmar workshop on mental health
In collaboration with our counterparts in Myanmar, six RCPsych volunteers and a clinical psychologist successfully provided an interesting taster day on subspecialties of psychiatry to the psychiatric trainees in Yangon. We hope it paved the way for further collaboration with the psychiatrists in Myanmar.
Funding two charity clinics
With more people coming to know about the charity mental health clinics in Mandalay and Amarapura, these clinics see more patients in the last year.
Projecting from 2016 data, Mind to Mind Myanmar has increased its grant fund for both clinics.
Fundraising Food Fair in London
Our 4th charity food fair in London was successfully held on 9th September 2017. We raised £4,274.70 in total and were grateful for the energetic contributions from our volunteers and cheerful support from our guests within and beyond the Burmese community in London.
