PRADET (Psychosocial Recovery and Development in East Timor)
Constituted as a national NGO in 2002 to provide a psychosocial service for people who are experiencing trauma, mental illness and other psychosocial problems in East Timor.
Mental health recovery is a journey of healing and transformation, enabling a person with a mental health problem or trauma to live a meaningful life in a community of his or her choice while striving to achieve his or her potential.
The service is delivered by local counselors who have solid experience in psychosocial health, with a strong focus on responding to stress, trauma, grief, sexual assault, domestic violence and mental illness. In addition, PRADET also provides counseling, advancement of children’s rights, child protection, conflict resolution and advocacy to improve clients’ rights in the community.
Currently PRADET is the only organization in East Timor providing information and training about the use and abuse of alcohol and the impact on the community.
Our Vision
To alleviate trauma and stress as a detrimental factor in the community life of East Timor
Our Mission
By strengthening its working relationships with the Ministries of Health, Justice and Social Solidarity (MSS), other government departments such as PNTL (Police), local and international NGOs, Church and other community groups, PRADET provides psychosocial support to men, women, children and families who suffer from trauma, violence and other social problems. This support is delivered through culturally sensitive community education, training and rehabilitation. PRADET staff provide counseling and community development programs as well as policy development at both local and national levels.
Rationale
Hope provides the essential and motivating message for a better future – that people can and do overcome the barriers and obstacles that confront them. Hope is internalized; but can be fostered by peers, families, friends, providers and others.
Hope is the catalyst of the recovery process. Mental health and trauma recovery not only benefits individuals with mental health disabilities by focusing on their abilities to live, work, learn and fully participate in our society, it also enriches the texture of community life. Timor Leste reaps the benefits from the contributions individuals with mental illness and trauma can make, ultimately becoming a stronger and healthier nation. Our hope is that through strengthening our working relationships with all relevant partners, new initiatives will be engendered and there will be collective encouragement to further develop preventive programs, better treatment for all clients and better services for the community in East Timor.
