BENGALURU, Jan. 16: The wounds of war clearly visible on the minds and lives of Iraqi men and women-memories of waking up in the middle of the night to the sound of bombings, losing loved ones and not knowing what next morning will bring in its wake. Mental health problem in Iraq has grown drastically with the global geopolitical tensions too. Global organisations reveal, 35% of the 9000 households surveyed agreed to being extremely psychologically devastated. Official data revealed, 70% of the population undergoing mental health disorder had suicidal thoughts. Reducing assistance from global agencies with regard to mental health care has been yet another challenge that the country has been struggling with.
In keeping with the view of creating a pressure free and violence free society, worldwide spiritual leader and humanitarian Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar who established the volunteer based The Art of Living and its sister concern International Association for Human Values (IAHV), has started rapid endeavour for peace and rehabilitation in the region.
Last month, Ministry of Youth and Sports of Iraq signed an MOU with The Art of Living's sister concern IAHV. Under the scheme that looks to function closely with youth devastated by war in the region and those undergoing severe Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms, anxiety, depression and distress in Baghdad and close by areas, the organisation would train Iraqi youth in self-empowerment programs, stress relief and rehabilitation.
"The contract was signed with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to give training for youths who went through conflict in Al-Sadder city, 9 Nisan and Baladiyat town in Iraq," observed Mawahib Shaibani, country director, IAHV Iraq.
Sri Sri's peace building activity in Iraq commenced nearly 15 years ago. Following the Iraq war in 2008, Gurudev had also met leaders on all sides (Shia, Sunni and Kurds among others). Peace specialists remark that he was one of the few worldwide pioneers to have been able to do this. His organization has functioned in furnishing trauma relief, comprehensive medical care, and fiscal empowerment of women in Iraq. To date, in excess of 5 lakh Iraqis have found relief through breathing and meditation methods.
"We completed the training for 100 youths this month and now we will be training another 900 youths. The rehabilitation and stress relief training will empower the youth to release the severe long seated stress, anger, and anxiety, improve their present moment awareness and spiritual wisdom that allows them to take a fresh and stress free look at their future with more hope and positivity and a broader vision. They will be trained in science backed meditation and breathing techniques, known to reduce symptoms of mental health conditions like depression, anxiety and PTSD. And then we help them with social and business projects with support from the World Bank," observed Girin Govind, ex secretary to Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and a veteran Art of Living instructor who has been conducting the workshops in Iraq.
About Art of Living
The Art of Living Foundation is a volunteer-based, humanitarian and educational non-governmental organization (NGO) established by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in 1981. It has centres in over 156 nations. It provides various stress-removal and self-development programs based on breathing methods, meditation and yoga. It also runs a number of social schemes globally.
By ANJISHNU BISWAS
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