Dr. Donald D. Denton and The Rev. Dr. Charles F. Ledlum-Bates Travel to Liberia
On July 27, 2022, VIPCare counselors Dr. Donald D. Denton and Dr. Charles F. Ledlum-Bates will travel to Liberia to meet with groups of community and religious leaders to continue to explore ways to support mental health treatment and access across the country. The trip is an initiative of VIPCare and the Bates Foundation, created in memory of The Rev. Dr. Bates' mother, which works to provide healing to the children of Liberia.
https://www.thebatesfoundation.org/
Dr. Denton and Rev. Dr. Bates traveled to Liberia in 2019 and since that time dialogue and information has continued to flow between Liberia and VIPCare's offices. A trip was planned in summer 2021 but had to be canceled due to COVID outbreaks.
The upcoming July 2022 trip will continue educational outreach and training with daily sessions for clergy, medical doctors and government officials (hundreds of participants are expected to take part in educational programs over the course of their 14-day visit). In preparation, educations training packets have been assembled (see photos of Don Denton compiling some final materials).
In addition, psychological textbooks and supporting materials have been collected, assembled and shipped to Liberia including information on trauma and recovery, as well as substance abuse treatment.
For more information, or if you would like to support their travel and mental health educational programs and outreach in Liberia, please contact VIPCare at 804-282-8332.
