Rights-based Peer Counselling to Reduce the Consequences of Stigma among Persons Affected

In many areas in Indonesia there is a high level of stigma against leprosy in the community and among religious leaders and health workers.  Leprosy-related stigma can result in a range of negative impacts on persons affected, including poor mental health and quality of life, restrictions in social participation, and associated loss of employment, education, and relationships. This best practice describes a project (SARI Project) that trained lay people to become peer counsellors. The SARI Project showed that the rights-based counselling intervention was effective in reducing stigma, promoting the rights of people with leprosy, and facilitating their social participation.

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