Our Work
The Mental Health Support Group (MHSG) is a civil society organization (CSO) in the Maldives, that works in the area of mental health and psychosocial disabilities, that was founded in 2018 and officially registered as a CSO in 2021.
MHSG began as a peer-support group for people with mental illnesses/psychosocial disabilities and their friends and families. Since our inception in 2018 we have held free regular bi-weekly peer support meetings and in 2021 introduced our free bi-weekly “Integrated Arts for Mental Well-being” sessions.
Our many areas of work include:
- Providing peer support
- Assisting people in navigating and accessing the limited mental health care available
- Assisting people in navigating the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) process
- Working to ensure the rights of people with mental illnesses and psychosocial disabilities
- Helping individuals access justice
- Advocacy
- Contributing to relevant national legislation and policies
- Working with service providers and mental health professionals to improve accountability and reduce barriers to access to services
MHSG is also a member of TCI (Transforming Communities for Inclusion) which is a global Organization of persons with psychosocial disabilities and is part of the mental health network of the national Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC).
Additionally MHSG works closely with other CSOs (including organizations of persons with disabilities), mental health practitioners, institutions providing mental health services including the Center for Mental health (CMH) and private clinics in order to reduce barriers to access to mental health care and fill the gaps in the system.
Registration no: CR/7/2021
Board Members
Chairperson
Aminath Ula Ahmed
Vice-chairperson
Ahmed Aiman Shareef
General Secretary
Saniya Ibrahim
Treasurer
Ali Shifan
Our Mission
- Work to ensure the mental well-being of all Maldivians and others residing in the Maldives
- Work to protect and promote all rights related to mental well-being that is enshrined in the Maldivian constitution and international conventions that the Maldives is signatory to
- Raising awareness on psychosocial disabilities, mental illnesses, and mental well-being
- Working to reduce discrimination and stigma associated with mental illnesses and psychosocial disabilities
- Working to reduce barriers to access of mental health services in the Maldives
- Advocate for the provision of mental health services to every Maldivian available where they live within Maldives
- Advocate against discrimination of people with mental illnesses
- Advocate for respecting the dignity of people with mental illnesses/psychosocial disabilities, and that their right to be able to live freely in society
- Work with the state, public and private mental health service providers, CSOs and other relevant stakeholders to improve accountability and reduce barriers to access to services.