ISMET General Assembly: Commitment to the promotion of mental health

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Extract from the article: The association Initiative pour la Santé Mentale au Togo (ISMET) held its statutory general assembly on 25 March in Lomé. The objective of this general assembly is to make corrections and modifications to the fundamental texts of the Association in o

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The association Initiative pour la Santé Mentale au Togo (ISMET) held its statutory general assembly on 25 March in Lomé. The objective of this general assembly is to make corrections and modifications to the fundamental texts of the Association in order to adapt them to current and future challenges. At the end of the meeting, a new board of 11 members was elected. It is now chaired by Doufa Kokou Abalo, for a two-year term, renewable once.

During the meeting, the participants drew up the financial and moral reports, analysed the results and challenges linked to the interventions on the ground during the last two years. They engaged in several debates on each of the articles of the statute. After amendments, the new statutes and internal regulations were validated and adopted by acclamation. The ISMET statute obliges members to meet once every two years to review and approve the rules and statutes, set budgets and decide on all interventions and activities to be carried out.

Mental health is a dynamic balance between the social, physical, spiritual, economic, emotional and mental spheres. As such, it contributes to the realisation of full potential, helps to cope with the normal challenges of life and enables one to contribute to the community.  According to ISMET's new president, Doufa Kokou Abalo, « we hope that we will make the necessary efforts to contribute to good mental health.  We know the importance of mental health which is neglected.  We will play a coordinating role to ensure that the objectives set are achieved ».

Mental health is a public health priority in Togo. Many Togolese who suffer from a mental health disorder consider that they started to manifest themselves in childhood. It is therefore essential to be able to prevent or detect them and treat them as quickly as possible in order to avoid their recurrence or continuation. « Our plan is to advocate with the authorities so that they can devote more attention to mental health, prevention and the management of mental illness. We will also make communications, especially to raise awareness and educate the population. Our objective is to move towards reducing the risks and cases of mental illness. It is also important to find ways and means to communicate to the population, especially the youth, about risky behaviours »,said Kokou Abalo. The members renewed their commitment to always be at the service of ISMET.

ISMET is an association created on 27 March 2021. Its objectives are to analyse the mental health situation in Togo and to support the promotion of mental health mainly through communication.

William O.