A Mother’s Smile Returns: Emebet’s Journey Through Mental Health Care
For almost a year, Emebet Meresa, a 38 year old mother of four from Tao Kebele, Raya Alamata Woreda, watched her world gradually slip away. Shortly after giving birth to her youngest child, she began experiencing severe mental health symptoms that changed every aspect of her life. Once a loving wife and devoted mother, she heard voices, saw things others could not see, became increasingly confused and distressed, wandered away from home at night, and gradually lost the ability to care for her children and manage everyday responsibilities.
Her illness deeply affected the entire family. As Emebet’s condition worsened, her husband, Mesele Birhanu, did everything he could to help her. Like many families facing mental health challenges with limited access to specialized care, he sought every form of support available through the traditional practices and community approaches they knew. Despite their determination and unwavering hope, nothing seemed to improve.
Reflecting on those difficult months, Mesele recalled:
Their lives changed when they learned about the integrated Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services provided by the Mothers and Children Multisectoral Development Organization (MCMDO) through its Mobile Health and Nutrition Team in Tao Kebele, with support from the Ethiopia Humanitarian Fund (EHF).
Emebet received comprehensive Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, including individual counseling, family counseling, and psychoeducation. Recognizing that she required specialized care, the MCMDO team referred her to Alamata General Hospital, where she was assessed and diagnosed with schizophrenia before beginning appropriate treatment.
MCMDO provides family centered Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, helping Emebet and her family navigate the journey to recovery.
MCMDO continued to stand beside the family throughout her recovery journey. Through regular follow up visits, counseling sessions, psychosocial support, medication adherence support, and continuous engagement with her husband, the team helped ensure that Emebet received the care and encouragement she needed every step of the way.
Over time, remarkable changes began to emerge. Her hallucinations became less frequent, her behavior stabilized, and she gradually regained her confidence. Most importantly, she was once again able to care for her children, contribute to her household, and reconnect with her family.
Smiling as she reflected on her recovery, Emebet said:
Her Husband added
Emebet’s story demonstrates how accessible, community based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support can transform lives. By combining compassionate counseling, timely referral, appropriate clinical treatment, and strong family involvement, MCMDO helped restore not only one woman’s health but also the well being and resilience of an entire family.
Mental health is an essential part of overall health. Through integrated MHPSS services, MCMDO continues to restore hope, strengthen families, and ensure that people living with mental health conditions receive the care, dignity, and opportunity they deserve.
