Photo: Showkutara with her Living Room group at the Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh MY REFLECTION When I first thought of starting a Living Room group, I did not plan to facilitate it myself. I wanted to help organize it but thought another person would have to facilitate. I could not imagine myself in that […]
Read More...Photo by Rohim Ullah I recently read an article entitled The Architecture of Rohingya Exclusion by Shafiur Rahman, published in the September 16, 2025 edition of United Against Humanity. The following is an excerpt. It is a statement I wish I had seen earlier so that I could have commented on it before the September […]
Read More...Dear readers, Every morning nowadays I awake with tears deep inside about the pain I’ve been witnessing, especially in the suffering of the Rohingya. But also, the pain I witness in some of the people I live with in my home community of Derby Manor. There are quite a few who are waiting for a […]
Read More...FOR SPIRITUAL MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT Go to the Introduction to Living Room and how it can bring healing to Rohingya and to all who suffer from discrimination and persecution. STEP BY STEP GUIDANCE 1. FIND A FACILITATOR WHO IS: – a person with a strong faith who has compassion for hurting people. 2. FIND A CO-FACILITATOR – with qualities […]
Read More...FAITH-BASED PEER SUPPORT GROUPS FOR MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS All members of Living Room peer support groups, including the facilitator, have experienced, or are experiencing mental health issues. It’s this commonality that pulls them together. Groups are not led by professionals and don’t offer clinical therapy. Groups for Rohingya men and women provide social support, but […]
Read More...PEER SUPPORT GROUPS (Photo by Mohammed Ridwan) Most of my work in past years has been to address the spiritual mental health needs of my readers. Through my writings, I’ve tried to encourage those dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, and any other problems individuals might be dealing with. Most of us experience some form of […]
Read More...LIVING ROOM’S OPEN DOOR One of our greatest fears as Open Door facilitators is what we’re going to do when depression hits. How are we going to measure up to our responsibilities? We don’t want to let anyone down. It’s hard to commit to anything when you struggle with mental health challenges. You never know […]
Read More...LIVING ROOM’S OPEN DOOR Can you imagine how wonderful it would be to have a Living Room group meeting in every neighborhood? An Open Door where you could go when you’re troubled or hurting and need to be with those who would understand—those who would listen when you have things to tell—brothers and sisters all. […]
Read More...Tulips at Keukenhof Gardens in Holland LIVING ROOM’S OPEN DOOR – All members of the Living Room Open Door faith-based peer support groups, including the facilitator, have suffered, or are suffering from mental health issues. It’s this commonality that pulls them together. Groups are not led by professionals and don’t offer clinical therapy. They don’t […]
Read More...THE OPEN DOOR – Faith in Someone greater than ourselves can bring us a sense of well-being that isn’t available elsewhere. Not with medication nor endless counselling. Faith can help us develop the following: A sense of hope A reason for living Strength to cope with hardships Confidence Relief from anxiety, stress, and fear Ability […]
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