PSYCHO SOCIAL SUPPORT WORKSHOP REPORT
25 FEBRUARY 2015
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Contents
INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 3
OBJECTIVES OF THE WORKSHOP ............................................................................................................ 3
WELCOME REMARKS .............................................................................................................................. 3
MR NKOMO’S TALK ................................................................................................................................. 3
PRESENTATION ON DEPRESION .............................................................................................................. 3
DEPPRESSION .......................................................................................................................................... 4
PLENARY .................................................................................................................................................. 5
SIGN LANGUAGE SESSION....................................................................................................................... 5
EVALUATION OF THE WORKSHOP .......................................................................................................... 6
CLOSING REMARKS ................................................................................................................................. 7
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INTRODUCTION
On the 28th of February Deaf Zimbabwe Trust (DZT) held a psychosocial support workshop at their
offices at number 12 Victory Avenue Greendale Harare. This was a continuation of the 31st January
mental health workshop. The presentation focused on depression. Participants at the workshop
were Deaf people, parents, friends and relatives of the Deaf. Student participants were from
Danhiko Secondary school. Paidamoyo Chimhini presented on depression and Mr Nkomo facilitated
the programme. Norman Mutete provided interpretation during the presentation and Mr Gomo
took over during the sign language session and closing remarks. Number of participants recorded
was 73.
OBJECTIVES OF THE WORKSHOP
The workshop sought to educate participants on the basics of depression including:
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Identifying causes of depression
Myths about depression
Signs and symptoms of depression
How to deal with depression
Where to get help when depressed
WELCOME REMARKS
DZT executive director Ms Barbra Nyangairi welcomed the participants and gave a brief outline of
the work that the organisation is currently doing to improve the lives of the Deaf. She went on to ask
participants attended the previous workshop were present. A few showed by lifting up their hands.
Four participants gave feedback of the previous workshop. The director highlighted what the
workshop would focus on and emphasised the need for participants to be attentive.
MR NKOMO’S TALK
Before the depression presentation, DZT Chairman Mr Lyndon Nkomo gave a motivational talk to
the Deaf students that were present. He encouraged them to be always positive in their mind set.
He encouraged the students to have a mentality of changing what they are to be better persons.
Deaf participants were asked what they would like to be in the future. Their responses included
professions such as lawyers, doctors, software engineers, business men and women as well as
florists. These responses indicated that these Deaf students are optimistic about their future. Mr
Nkomo applauded the students for their optimism and encouraged them to work hard in school to
achieve their dreams. In closing the session, said, “A person who is afraid and weak will die like that
but courageous people will achieve their goals through hard work.”
PRESENTATION ON DEPRESION
The presentation focused on depression, how to identify causes of depression, myths about
depression, signs and symptoms of depression, dealing with depression and where to get help when
depressed.
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DEPPRESSION
As described by Paida, Depression refers to a feeling of deep sadness, hopelessness and inability to
enjoy anything over a long period of time. Characteristics of depression include loss of appetite, over
eating and changes in sleep patterns. One who is depressed has constant anxiety, unhappiness and
loss of energy for no apparent reason. Depression affects thoughts, feelings and behaviour. It can
cause a person to perfom poorly at work, school and home. Deep despair can make a person suicidal
to escape the misery and pain of depression. Many people think depression is not a genuine illness.
However it is actually a very complex illness that can be treated by taking prescribed medication.
Depression is the leading cause of suicide in the world. It should be treated once discovered.
Ignoring it will make it worse.
Paida went on to share some interesting facts about depression she found on the World Health
Organisation (WHO) fact sheet. Some of the facts are as follows:
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Depression is common, affecting about 121 million people world wide
Depression is among the leading causes of disability world wide
Can be reliably diagnosed and be treated in primary care
Fewer than 5% of those affected have access to effective treatment
Participants were also taught about the causes of depression. Significant life changes can cause
depression. Examples include death of loved ones, birth of a child, chronic diseases, divorce, social
isolation and unemployment. Domestic violence and other forms of abuse may also cause
depression. Depression also runs in the family. If you have a relative who once had depression you
may also develop it. Alcohol and drug abuse were also attributed as other causes of depression.
After describing the causes of depression she continued to signs and symptoms of depression.
Below are some of the symptoms of depression:
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Appetite or weight change
Sleep changes
Anger and irritability
Reckless behaviour
The presentation included depression in teenagers. The main source of depression in teenagers is
life changes. These changes can make them moody. Being moody is normal but tends to be a cause
for concern if the feelings are constant. Depression in teenagers is not always shown by extreme
sadness. Most depressed teenagers seem to be more irritable than sad. Depressed teenagers tend to
be hostile, grumpy or short tempered. They may also be very violent or suffer from unexplained
aches and pains. If left unattended, depression in teens could lead to suicide.
Depression can be dealt with through various ways. Ask for help and support from others when you
discover that you are depressed. Talking to other people shows that you are aware of your problem
and you are taking steps to improve your situation. It is also imperative to share your fears and
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problems with a friend or family members. People may not provide you with an effective solution to
your problem but sharing your problem with someone will diminish the burden on you. Surrounding
yourself with people who understand you is another way of dealing with depression. People who
support you will help you overcome difficult situations. One should keep a strong supporting system
in order to be assisted in dealing with depression. Isolation will make the situation worse.
According to Paida’s presentation, depression can be dealt with through building emotional skills.
This involves learning how to recognise and express your emotions. Dealing with depression
appropriately enables a person to become stronger emotionally and allows you to bounce back from
a difficult situation.
Sometimes friends and family support may not effectively deal with depression. One may visit a
doctor who will refer you to a mental health professional. One may also visit a psychologist or a
counsellor who will assess your condition and find a treatment plan for you. Depending on how
serious your depression is it maybe necessary for you to take medication that is antidepressants.
Treatment also involves having regular therapy sessions with your counsellor or psychologist.
PLENARY
After the presentation the floor was opened for participants to ask questions. Paida and Mr Nkomo
helped with answers.
Q: You asked something about us going to see the doctor when I am depressed. It is difficult for
me there is no good communication with the doctor. What can I do?
A: (Mr Nkomo) There is no policy that allows health institutions to have the medical interpreter.
The medical practitioners are also not trained sign language. My advice to you is that you find a sign
language interpreter you trust until the government enacts a law that makes it mandatory for all
health care centres to have interpreters. We are also drafting sign language bill. What we are asking
government to do is to have a database of interpreters. We need to train a lot of people sign
language.
Q:
When we go to see the counsellors, sometimes we fail to understand because the sentences
they write are too long.
Q: For example I have a sister and we always have quarrels. When we try to find help from others
or an intermediate, the intermediate will always say the Deaf are heard strong. How can I get help
then?
A:
(Paida) maybe there is a bigger problem between the Deaf and hearing sisters. We need to
address the issue first and see how it can be solved.
SIGN LANGUAGE SESSION
The sign language session was done by Tendai and Kuda. They started with a recap of words learnt
at the last workshop. They continued to words that describe body parts and clothes. Words which
had controversial signs were underwear, pant, arm and jeans. The table below shows the words
signed. Participants said that they would like to include biblical words.
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BODY PARTS
Arm
Nose
Hand
CLOTHES
Jacket
Dress
Skirt
Neck
Toes
Knees
Elbow
Shoulder
Stomach
Chin
Mouth
Teeth
Backbone
Finger
Head
Tongue
Ears
Forehead
Naval
Trousers
Shorts
Pyjamas
Night dress
Underwear
Suit
Tie
Necklace
Shoes
Hat
Cap
Belt
Sandals
Shirt
T-shirt
Jeans
EVALUATION OF THE WORKSHOP
Evaluation
At the end of the workshop, the participants were asked to fill in evaluation forms to assess the
workshop. Most of the responses on the evaluation forms indicated that the participants
appreciated the workshop and look forward to more similar sessions. A significant number of
participants reported that the facility used for the workshop was small and uncomfortable. Some
also felt that the presentation was not at a level that they could understand. Below are some of the
responses given by the participants?
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Very helpful to me, have learnt a lot.
Was happy about the presentation as well as sign language teachings.
I want to learn more about mental health.
I understand the programme, it is well organised.
I do really appreciate all the presentations. The space is small for people to sit and
learn.
I was having difficulty communicating with my child but you helped me so much on
most of the words.
I can now communicate with other Deaf when we meet anywhere.
I can now teach my child homework.
The presentation was well researched and quite informing.
Thank you very much for the work you are doing. God bless you.
Thank you for your workshop we learn more.
Very useful and informative.
Good for the Deaf and hearing. This bridges the gap.
Thank you for equipping us on how to communicate with our friends.
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Suggestions for future topics of discussion
Many participants indicated that the next sign language lesson should focus on basic household
items like pots and pans. Some expressed a keen interest in learning signs that are related to religion
and the Bible. With regards to topics for future workshop presentations, participants suggested that
reproductive health and the dangers of early marriage should be addressed.
Recommendations
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The turnout for this workshop was lower than the previous one. Most of the participants
who turned up were the Deaf and very few parents and guardians of Deaf children attended.
It may be necessary to find other ways to advertise the workshop so that more parents of
Deaf may attend.
Deaf students constitute the majority of workshop participants. In order for them to benefit
more from the workshops, there is need for more motivational talks similar to that given by
Mr Nkomo at the last workshop.
CLOSING REMARKS
Mr Nkomo closed the business of the day. He encouraged everyone to go and revise what they had
learnt. Deaf students were encouraged to go and work hard in their school work so that they will
achieve their dreams. Children who were at the workshop were encouraged to learn sign language
from their Deaf elders. A student from Danhiko gave a closing prayer before the participants
departed.
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