Promoting Health & Wellbeing

Aim

Enhancing the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities through forgiveness therapy.

Forgiveness for the Promotion of Health & Wellbeing

Sadaf Akhtar, Birmingham UK

About me:

This project is focused on helping people to overcome the negative effects of interpersonal violence using forgiveness therapy, and promoting positive mental health and wellbeing among individuals, families, and communities via one to one treatment sessions, workshops and an online course.  

The service will be run by Sadaf Akhtar, PhD., a qualified health and wellbeing consultant and practitioner. In her work, Sadaf will draw on her knowledge and skills in forgiveness therapy, health sciences and complimentary and alternative medicines.  Sadaf has completed an undergraduate degree in Sociology and Psychology, a Masters in Social Research, and a PhD in Health Sciences (specialising in mental health and wellbeing promotion).

To read about Sadaf's research on forgiveness, please visit the following page:  https://wellqo.co/blog/

Why Forgiveness?  

Interpersonal violence in the form of child abuse, intimate partner violence, elder abuse, bullying, harassment, as well as violations of norms in ‘healthy’ relationships, are common.  The effects of interpersonal hurts are that they can develop into chronic anger, hatred, and hostility, which lead to a variety of mental health problems, as well as the desire for retaliation, which can cause further injuries and even suicide.  Forgiveness, which is the choice to let go of chronic anger, hatred and hostility, and develop sympathy for a wrongdoer is empirically proven to promote mental wellbeing and enhance physical health.  The aim of this project therefore is to assist people to overcome the negative consequences of interpersonal hurts for the purpose of improving individual and population wellbeing.  

Facts: 

• Chronic anger, hatred and hostility lead to mental and physical health problems 
• Mental health problems are associated with the cause of physical illnesses including cancer, heart disease, and psoriasis.  
• People with long-term physical health problems also have a mental health problem.  
• Mental health problems can negatively impact economic and social wellbeing.  
• The economic and social costs of mental health problems are estimated to be around £100 billion annually.
• Forgiveness reduces depression, anxiety and stress, increases health and happiness, and enhances positive actions and attitudes.  

What’s the plan?  

To assist people to overcome the negative effects of unforgiveness and promote their health and wellbeing using methods that are scientifically proven to work, via the following services: 

• One to one personalised therapy sessions 

• Workshops focused on identifying signs and symptoms of unforgiveness and its effects, education about the nature of forgiveness, and the efficacy of forgiveness treatment.

• Online forgiveness course designed to educate and assist people to practice forgiveness, wherever they are in the world.  

Who will benefit from the project? 

The project will benefit individuals, families, communities and people in workplace settings.  More specifically, it will benefit people that suffer from mental health problems in consequence of interpersonal violence, such as depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress, low self-esteem and confidence.  

What are the project aims and outcomes: 

• Improve mental health and wellbeing
• Improve physical health
• Improve social wellbeing

How can you help?   

To set up a private practice, run workshops and create an online forgiveness course we need to raise £10,000.  

These funds will be used for: 

• Premises for private practice/workshops
• Insurance
• Marketing and advertising expenses 
• Web upgrade/ print brochures, business cards 
• Equipment purchase/transport 
• Online course design, development, implementation, & evaluation 
• Staff/volunteer costs for instructional design, technical staff specialists 

We also want our services to be available for everyone, irrespective of financial circumstances; your support will help us achieve this. 

1. Fund the project 

If you would like to contribute towards promoting people’s health and wellbeing, then please make a donation.  For every donation you make, you will receive a gift in return.  

2. Spread the word

Spreading the word on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or any other social media network, as well as emailing friends and colleagues about this project would be brilliant!  

3. Get in touch

Let us know if you have questions or thoughts about how to promote this project.  

Email: [email protected] 

Thank you!

Sadaf

This project successfully funded on 4th July 2019