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BasicNeeds is an international development organisation founded by Chris Underhill MBE in 2000 to enable people with mental illness and epilepsy to have access to treatment, the opportunity to earn an income and to re-integrate themselves successfully into their families and communities. BasicNeeds鈥� community based approach to mental health treatment is holistic and innovative, going beyond purely the medical to incorporate social and economic recovery too. Since its foundation, BasicNeeds has transformed the lives of over half a million people with mental illness or epilepsy, their carers and families in 12 countries of Asia and Africa.聽

For Francis in Ghana, mental illness meant being held captive with his leg shackled through a hole carved in a log. With the help of BasicNeeds, Francis now has his psychosis under control. He is working as a primary school teacher and advocating for a better understanding of mental illness in his community.

鈥淚 felt very sad and neglected having my leg pinned in a log and it was very painful. But for BasicNeeds, I would not be alive today鈥�I am back to teaching and my wife is helping me cultivate our small piece of land in front of our house. Together we shall regain our dignity鈥�, says Francis.

Photo shows Francis with his wife Yaa.

BasicNeeds has been working with local partner LEADS聽(Livelihoods Education and Development Society)聽in Nepal since 2011 to promote the recovery of people affected by mental illness, and to engage them and their family members in livelihood activities to ensure a life in the community for all. We are currently mobilising support to ensure that the people in this programme who were affected by the massive earthquake that hit the region on 25th April do not run out of essential supplies of their psychiatric medicines and have access to long-term support to rebuild their lives.

This photo was taken in Baglung district. We know that all our project beneficiaries are safe but many houses have been damaged.