In The Midst Of Rising Geopolitical Tensions, Indian NGO To Help Rebuild Lives of 1000 Iraq Youth
The scars of war are writ large 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. The mental health crisis in Iraq has deepened with the rising geopolitical tensions too. International agencies suggest, 35% of the 9000 households surveyed agreed to being severely psychologically distressed. Official data suggested, 70% of the population undergoing mental health disorder had suicidal thoughts. Diminishing help from international organisations with respect to mental health care has been yet another problem that the country has been grappling with.
Last month, Ministry of Youth And Sports of Iraq signed an MOU with Bangalore based spiritual and humanitarian organisation The Art of Living’s sister concern International Association For Human Values or IAHV founded by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Under the project that looks to work closely with youth affected by the conflict in the region and those undergoing severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms, anxiety, depression and distress in Baghdad and nearby areas, the organisation would train Iraqi youth in self-empowerment programs, stress relief and rehabilitation.
“The contract was signed with the Ministry of Sport and Youth to give training for youths who went through conflict in Al-Sadder city, 9 Nisan and Baladiyat town in Iraq,” said Mawahib Shaibani, country director, IAHV Iraq.
“We completed the training for 100 youths 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,” said Girin Govind, senior Art of Living instructor who has been conducting the workshops in Iraq.
Girin Govind Profile
Girin Govind is a senior Art of Living faculty, with the foundation for more than 19 years. He has also served as personal secretary to Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for eight years. He teaches a variety of programs at the foundation including the Teacher Training Program. Currently he is a member of the General body of Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, Delhi, under Ministry of Ayush, Govt of India and Director of Sri Sri School of Yoga, Bangalore.
He was also the Head of Department of Yogic Science at Sri Sri University, Odisha for 4 years. His popularity can be gauged by the stupendous turnout of thousands of people at his yoga workshops. He has accompanied Gurudev across the globe including countries like Iraq, Vatican, Pakistan, UK, France & Bahrain. He has also taught programs in many countries like China, Kuwait, Italy, South Korea, UAE, Malaysia, Austria, Oman, Cambodia etc. He has been an integral part of the AOL projects in Iraq, traveling across cities like Baghdad, Kharbala, Najaf, Erbil & Shaklava since 2007.
