CRISIS AND TRAUMA CENTRE OPENS IN GABORONE
In an effort to address crisis and trauma, Toughlove, a South African organization that supports families in crisis has opened a branch in Gaborone.
Speaking to The Voice in an interview, Toughlove Country Representative Odireleng Kasale said the organization was established to deal with any form of unacceptable behavior such as substance abuse and addiction as well as to support the family through any crisis they may be facing.
“It is family support group for any person, who is troubled by a loved one’s disruptive behavior,” Kasale explained.
A qualified addiction counselor, Kasale provides the NPO necessary skills to assist families in crisis.
She noted a lack of psychosocial support in Botswana, especially for family of mentally ill patients.
“When a person is discharged from a mental hospital, the affected family normally doesn’t know how to deal with him or her. The family does not know how to handle the patient and it affects them. When a family member comes to us, we have a programme to teach them how they can cope and have strength to deal with such a situation.” Explained Kasale
The group meets every Thursday at Extension 9 ChalkBoard office for an hour for people to share their experiences and get a to be referred to rehabilitation centres in South Africa.
Meanwhile Toughlove SA branch Coordinator Chantal Grotto said their aim was to mentor Kasale as a co-opted board member in South Africa where she would be taught how to act on a board and how to be of service in a Non-Profit-Organisation (NPO).
Grotto further explained that once Kasale has been equipped with sufficient knowledge ToughLove would then, “Plug and play the programme over five years in Botswana.”
“One or two South Africa board members would be co-opted once the Botswana NPO has been established in order to guide and mentor and uphold brand consistency within the two countries. The group that has currently been started is a microcosm of what can or can’t work and after two years once it has gained traction only then can it be assessed to grow the group into an NPO and be a part of a larger business. For now the group falls under the SA banner as it is in its infancy stage and needs direction,” said Grotto.
Wow!this is just on point as a parent of a mentally ill son aged 29,I am so grateful that someone thought about this service.
My son got an accident 24years ago,it’s been a debilitating pain seeing him in and out of the mental hospital since 2016.We have been trying so hard to help him cope with his condition with just love and hope from the family.
I have hope that this will be an answer to many of us who are in this situation.
My nephew is so much affected by drug abuse..we have tried as family to help him out but failed..at this point he is crying for help..but we do not how to go about the situation..is there a way you can intervene.
Please call 3111025/ or 74070001.
They are an outpatient mental health clinic and extensive drug and substance abuse use treatment center. They could help. Wishing the family God’s comfort during this trying time. May he have resilience and strength to overcome this. All the best.