The Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR) held during the months of September and October, through psychologist Iterniza Pereira, awareness lectures to address topics such as suicide prevention (yellow September), breast cancer prevention (pink October), sexual abuse, domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse, as well as psychological care.
According to Iterniza, the lectures were held in person and virtually, for indigenous people who live in the urban context and also in the communities, mainly serving people who have been infected by Covid-19. "The objective is to break taboos in relation to such topics, generate dialogues, share information and thus establish awareness of relatives in the communities", commented Iterniza.
The general coordinator of the CIR, Enock Taurepang, explained that these services are even more necessary today, especially to face the physical and emotional effects caused by the pandemic of the new coronavirus. "The CIR had to reinvent itself, to be able to provide this support to the communities, since our public health system is very flawed", highlighted Enock.
During the two months, the psychologist carried out consultations with more than 60 people, including leaders, young people, women, children and men in the communities of Banco (Baixo Cotingo region), Raimundão I (Alto Cauamé region), Taxi (Surumú region), Teso do Gavião, (Baixo Cotingo region) and Mutamba (Amajari region). The initiative is supported by the CIR and the Ford and Nia tero Foundation.