About Sukoon
Sukoon is an independent organization;
free from any bias;
with humanitarian rather than commercial objectives;
established for public benefit;
registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 Pakistan.
Sukoon's Psychosocial Approach to Protection
Theoretical Foundation:
The society i.e. Sukoon is based on the psychopathological and Para-psychological approach developed by Waqar Husain. The approach i.e. Sensory & Ultimate Knowledge On Observing Nature focuses on prevention and cure of psychological problems by being closer to the nature (simplicity) and getting away from the nurture (artificiality) while utilizing the inner senses instead of the five outer senses. The approach further claims that mind and soul are the same. Sukoon is extremely inspired by the Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammad Peace be upon him. Sukoon also admires Dr. Allama Iqbal and intends to spread his thoughts through its activities.
Vision:
Sukoon visualizes a world where human rights are promoted through SUKOON i.e. Sensory and Ultimate Knowledge On Observing Nature.
Mission Statement:
Sukoon is aimed to provide psychosocial support to those who are mentally disturbed or at risk of mental disturbance as are deprived of human rights. This goal is achieved by taking measures for prevention of and response to psychosocial problems and issues of concern.
Sphere of Activities:
Sukoon is the first ever of her kind and an established organization that is operational to promote Human Rights through Psychosocial Support. SUKOON i.e. Sensory & Ultimate Knowledge On Observing Nature سلامتی کے لیے وجدانی نفسیات , is an approach itself for an adequate psychosocial well being. The approach states that simplicity in our living can prevent psychosocial problems and due respect to other human beings can produce a peaceful society. Sukoon has invented several novel and unique ideas and methodologies that are rooted in Psychology and are applicable psychosocially e.g. Psychological Insurance, Psychosocial Enterprise Development, Education for Psychosocial Growth, SUKOON Healing, Emotional Healing, Sukoon Trips, etc. Sukoon is trying hard to help the society in its psychosocial issues to promote a human rights’ friendly culture.
Sukoon –Mental Health Policy & Plan for Interventions
(This document also serves to interpret the theoretical foundation of the organization i.e. SUKOON (Sensory & Ultimate Knowledge On Observing Nature).
Introduction:
Sukoon’s Mental Health Policy is developed to define the conceptual framework for possible psychosocial operations by Sukoon. The policy defines relevant terminologies and intends to facilitate in designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating Sukoon’s projects.
Mental Health:
It is a common sense that “Mental Health” refers to “Mind” which is invisible and beyond the scope of “Medical Science”. The already available definitions of “Mental Health” do believe in the “bio-psycho-social” elements of mental health; however, when it comes to practice, the “bio” component of mental health is given a top priority and mental health is generally considered a subject related to “Psychiatry” which is not at all the actual case for Sukoon. It is, therefore, highly essential to define the term “Mental Health” within the context of Sukoon.
“Mental Health is primarily a state of psychological wellbeing and mostly relies on the physical and social wellbeing of an individual.”
Thus, the sequence and priority of the three integral components of “Mental Health” is “psycho-bio-social”. (It could be “bio-psycho-social” for “Health” in general.)
The “psychological wellbeing” depends on the gratification of human “Needs” whereas the “social wellbeing” relies on “Human Rights”.
Psychological Wellbeing:
Apart from the physical and social wellbeing of individuals, which are important contributing factors to psychological wellbeing, the “psychological wellbeing” of a person is a state in which the “Mind” functions appropriately. As mind includes the conscious, sub-conscious and unconscious, the psychological wellbeing refers to all the three components of mind, their functions and developments. Each mental component produces different “Needs” for human beings. The degree of gratification of these needs determines the level of psychological wellbeing. The non-gratification of these needs results in mental disorders.
Physical Wellbeing:
The physical wellbeing of a person depends on the gratification of physical needs i.e. the different requirements of different organs within human body. The non-gratification of these needs results in poor physical health and/or physical diseases.
Social Wellbeing
Social wellbeing refers to the gratification of social needs i.e. the requirements for social survival and development. Non-gratification of social needs may produce several social problems as well as psychological disturbances. A social system based on “Human Rights” can ensure adequate social wellbeing of an individual and a society as a whole.
Sukoon’s Area of Intervention:
Sukoon, after completely accepting the contributing role of physical health for mental health, only intervenes for the “psychosocial wellbeing” of individuals and is not involved in physical health of its beneficiaries as it is not an area of expertise for Sukoon.
Sukoon, to summarize, works in “Protection” with a “Psychosocial Approach” (Needs Based Programming) for “Psychosocial Peace”.
Protection
Protection, for Sukoon, is to protect human beings for the sake of human rights and to protect human rights for the sake of human beings.
Human Rights
Human Rights are those socially recognized human needs that are (a) common in all human beings as being humans, and (b) someone within the society or the society as a whole feels a sense of responsibility in providing means for the accomplishment of those needs. Sukoon believes that the spirit of the law is supreme as compared with the letter of the law. Thus, these socially recognized needs need not to be necessarily mentioned somewhere in the letter of law. The common sense, collective thinking and common will should be followed properly by a social system in which the best interests of humanity should be of extreme importance.
Psychosocial Approach
As individuals are parts of a society and society cannot be formed without individuals; and as psychological and social problems are mostly interlinked; the interventions should take a proper account of the individual and as well as the society. The impact on the society is not ignored while addressing individual issues in Sukoon’s programs. The consequences for an individual, on the other hand, are also not forgotten while working on societal issues.
Psychosocial Problems
Psychosocial problems are those psychological problems which are caused for an individual by another individual, group of individuals, unfair traditional practices, myths and stereotypes, etc.
Psychosocial Issues of Concern:
These are those social issues which can result in psychological problems for an individual of a group of individuals. These issues include but are not limited to some of the examples listed below:
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Detachment from nature, denial of fundamental human rights; social injustice / inaccessibility to justice; unfair traditional practices; faulty attitudes e.g. greed / selfishness / jealousy / aggression; poverty; unemployment; social insecurity; corruption; fraud; pollution; unprofessionalism; improper understanding of religion and mishmash of religion and culture; inadequate resources to improve the standard of living; etc.
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Discrimination & prejudice; gender based, domestic, sectarian violence; abuse & exploitation; trafficking in persons; bonded / child labor; early / forced marriages; torture; unjust detention; delinquency & crime; extremism; terrorism; etc.
Beneficiaries of Sukoon:
The direct beneficiaries of Sukoon include those individuals who are either mentally disturbed or are at risk of mental disturbance. The nature of their mental disturbance is psychosocial and mental disturbance is not due to biological reasons e.g. mental disorders by birth or due to a physical injury, etc. The indirect beneficiaries of Sukoon include the entire humanity as all humans are possibly at risk of mental disturbance and as Sukoon advocates for their adequate mental health.
Objectives of Sukoon’s Mental Health Interventions:
Sukoon visualizes a world where human rights are promoted through SUKOON i.e. Sensory & Ultimate Knowledge On Observing Nature and consists of but is not limited to all the ideologies mentioned above. Following prioritized objectives in connection to mental health need to be achieved to meet the ultimate goal:
Financing
As Sukoon has no financial resources at present, the top most priority is to seek funds to meet the objectives. Sukoon, however, is struggling hard to render the possible psychosocial support even without sufficient funds, which is a good volunteer work but cannot bring the expected results in an expected period.
b. Mental Health Literacy
Mental health is not given the same importance as physical health; rather it is ignored or neglected. There are several misperceptions about psychological problems which are considered social disgrace. Unfair traditional practices relevant to mental health e.g. consulting fake spiritual healers, referring psychological problems to luck / sins / devil, God phobia and myths about life after death & the elements of punishment in religion, considering fake psychological literature available on bookshops, the usual non-supporting attitude of doctors and psychiatrists (who often don’t consider psychotherapeutic treatment and psychosocial support as important as medication and don’t do referral of relevant cases for the sake of their own fee), all make the situation worst and difficult to change. Mental health literacy is needed on wide and frequent basis to bring a positive social change. It should include all possible modes of communication e.g. print & electronic media, open debate forums & seminars, focus group discussions, etc.
c. Prevention of psychosocial problems and issues of concern
Prevention is better than cure. The preventive methodologies of Sukoon include but should not be limited to the following:
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Mental Health Literacy / Awareness raising / Advocacy / Capacity building / Research / Legislation, etc.
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Specific projects in Protection / Promotion of Human Rights to address the psychosocial issues of concern
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Establishment of Psychotherapeutic Clinics / Psychosocial Enterprise Centers / E-Clinic
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SUKOON Healing / Faith Healing / Emotional Healing / Adoption of a Simple & Stress Free way of living / Psychometrics / Short Courses in Psychology / Vocational Guidance / Psychological Counseling / Psychological Insurance / Psychosocial Enterprise Development (community based psychosocial services) / Legal Advice / Employment, etc.
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Joint ventures with other organizations
· Response to psychosocial problems and issues of concern
The response to psychosocial problems and issues of concern should be ideally as immediate as possible. Some of the possibilities are as under and more should be explored:
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First Psychological Aid / Telephonic Counseling / Guidance and Encouragement to the family members and care takers of the victim/s to take part
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Psychological Counseling / Psychotherapy / Reach Out Visits
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Rehabilitation Services / Psychosocial support to dependents
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Referral of Psychiatric / Neurological / Medical cases if found any
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Advocacy / Protection, etc.
e. Advocacy
Advocacy, besides being a part in Mental Health Literacy, should be done on all possible levels e.g. family, community, local / district / provincial / Federal government, CBOs / NGOs / INGOs / Donor Organizations / UN, Print & Electronic Media, etc. Advocacy should contain an agenda covering all possible objectives mentioned herein this document.
f.
Capacity Building
Apart from Mental Health Literacy, training workshops in Protection & Psychosocial Issues should be organized for the stakeholders in order to build / enhance their capacities to understand the subject well and to respond accordingly. The Institutional Capacity Building Program should play the lead role in this.
g.
Research
The research on mental health issues is quite insufficient and does not include the common psychosocial problems faced by the public on daily basis. A culture of research needs to be promoted and research should be mainstreamed in all the projects of Sukoon.
h. Legislation
The Mental Health Policy 1997, National Mental Health Program (initiated in 1986), Mental Health Ordinance 2001, etc. are the key elements in Mental Health Legislation in Pakistan. Sukoon appreciates all these steps enthusiastically; however, heavily emphasizes that the “psychosocial” elements mentioned herein should be incorporated in national and international legislation for mental health and the laws already made must be brought into practice. Advocacy steps should be taken on relevant platforms.
14. Psychosocial Peace
The gratification of individual needs and execution of human rights could bring a state with fewer psychosocial problems and issues of concern; the state of Psychosocial Peace.
Contact: info@thesukoon.org
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