Mental Health Volunteers Describe Projects to Serve and Learn

In this fourth installment for Mental Health Awareness Month, four Global Volunteers mental health professionals describe their own experiences working with local people on life-affirming projects in Tanzania.

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“Global Volunteers had had this incredible idea of helping the children of Ipalama to grow to be healthy mentally and physically and spiritually,” said Volunteer Catherine Mayer. “I’m a psychiatrist, and the Reaching Children’s Potential Program just spoke to me,” elaborating on her reason for serving two weeks in Tanzania.

“I love everything that Global Volunteers does, but this was particularly compelling for me, and it has been compelling the whole time I’ve been here, believe me.” Specifically she said, she was especially grateful to contribute to a project assisting the poorest and most vulnerable mothers in Global Volunteers’ five partner villages.”

“They’re particularly vulnerable because they don’t have emotional support, or enough money, and they don’t have enough food. And these moms are incredibly strong and caring for their children and wanting their children to have the best, but they don’t have the resources,” she continued. “So we’re trying to learn from them what would help, and we’re also engaging with the local leaders who have been absolutely astonishing. They’re caring, and have lots of creative ideas.”

Mayer explained the goal for long-term sustainability of the interventions. By working with and investing in local leaders’ capabilities, she said, “they would have the knowledge and the resources to continue to support these particularly needy moms. Of course, (we care for) all of the villagers, but particularly these moms who are on their own usually, and have often been abandoned or abused.”

Supporting Village Moms to Help Raise Healthy Children

The Reaching Children’s Potential Program in the Ukwega Ward enrolls families who commit to taking their children to routine medical exams, attending educational health and nutrition workshops and presentations, and adopting technologies to improve family health and nutrition. The most critical component in the formula is pregnant women and moms – who will raise their children and ensure they have the resources to reach their full potential.

Registered nurse Martina Black, whose career has centered on mental health, said she appreciated her daily contact with mothers – in the Ipalamwa General Clinic (IGC) and at home visits.

“It’s nice that I’ve been able to use my skills in medicine as well as mental health, given some of the topics that come up surrounding healthcare in this particular region,” said Black. “For instance, I’ve been able to discuss depression and gender-based violence with the patients, especially the moms, and we’ve been able to discuss it with children – which is really nice – (to explain) what they should do if they’re experiencing any type of mental health difficulties.”

Jeanne Villa, a trained Master Transformational NLP Practitioner also worked directly with mothers on their areas of trauma and stress. “My approach is to meet the moms where they’re at,” she explained. “I focus on helping people access their best selves, without expectations or an agenda.” She said she noted that mothers that participated in her six workshops frequently mentioned that they felt misunderstood by their partners. Sometimes conflict involved impatience and emotional abuse, especially where alcohol was present.

“We talked about how to take care of ourselves, based on our beliefs, and how they can begin to resolve the past – as all of us do, worldwide,” she reported. “I think one of the biggest points that I was trying to impress upon them – one that they really got – is we can’t change the past. The past is gone, but what we can do is try to resolve and understand a little bit more about what happened to create whatever experience we’ve had or are having.” By doing so, we can forgive ourselves, others, and start to heal. Through their discussions, translated by RCP staff, Jeanne was able to provide examples of how we can turn traumatic experiences around to obtain insight. “So that was really powerful. It was really amazing. And I think they walked away with some additional life skills, a few more tools in their life menu.”

The Give and Take of Volunteering as a Mental Health Professional

Social Worker Jenn Kudelka said working each day with children, mothers and adults of all ages living in rural villages expanded her understanding of poverty. Despite serving low-income families in urban Minneapolis, she reflected: “I’ve again been really, really made very aware of my privilege – extending from resources and access to information.” So for her, sharing her broad knowledge of common emotional and behavioral conditions and treatments was personally satisfying. “And doing something like this is not about imposing anything. It’s about bringing what you already have, and what you already know. So much of that is just needed, and requested, and craved.”

As an example, she said, simply explaining what experiences during pregnancy are normal. “Things that maybe American moms talk about all the time,” she explained. Reassuring women that depression, uncertainty, changed body image and emotions are typical, and can be shared with health care providers, is an important service that volunteer professionals can offer.

“And you don’t even know that this is just kind of common knowledge, (at home) but it’s not something that you find is often discussed or readily dispensed (in the villages). So that’s a key take away for me I wasn’t quite prepared for.”

Black, likewise, said she was surprised by how useful her practical skills and knowledge were. “Everyone who goes into healthcare, cares about other people. They want to see them doing well,” she asserts. “But at first, I considered maybe I should just send money, because I wondered what would be my impact,” she admitted. “However, I will say that this has been a mutual reward. The community has very much helped me and almost, I think helped me more than I’ve helped them.”

“But it’s been beautiful and it’s been very fulfilling,” Black reflected.

“Yeah, I was also a little concerned about how, you know, how my skills might translate culturally,” agreed Kudelka. “Like I just didn’t know. But again, I’ll just say there’s a spot for everyone. What you, as a volunteer have with your privilege, there will be a way to use it meaningfully.”

Mayer summed up, saying: “It’s just such a privilege, and I learned so much. I mean, I’m hoping that I can be of help, but I’m telling you, it’s just such a gift to serve here.”

Kudelka added that many professionals might question the rigor of full days volunteering in a foreign culture, and whether they have the resilience for new encounters every day. “The important thing is to go with the flow. It’s really for everybody, whatever your skills are. I’d say you’re probably stronger than you think. And you don’t know unless you just do it,” she asserts.

“Sometimes, you’ve just gotta say yes.”

Read More Interviews With Volunteering Professionals in Tanzania:

Corporate Medical Volunteers Promote Mental Wellness in Tanzania