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International assistance Along with a few other professional volunteers, I am working towards assessing the psychological needs of Syrian children and youth in the refugee camps in Turkey, to ensure their psychological well-being and know the kind of help to make available to them. As you may know, the Syrian refugees in Turkey fled Syria to evade gunfire and bombings, and most of their homes were destroyed; many have lost friends and family and many children have been orphaned. Some of the refugees have been in Turkey for over 12 months; and while the Turkish government, the United Nations and several NGOs have helped facilitate their stay, the experience of traumatic events during their time in Syria, fleeing to Turkey and residing as refugees while conflict is taking place in their homeland is thought to have brought about mental health problems. Limited mental health support has been offered to the Syrian refugees, especially children and youth who may be experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety as well as other common mental health problems. It is vital to make available psychological support to not only prevent severe mental health problems, but to ensure that young people have the necessary coping skills to deal with their situation during and after their time at the refugee camps; encouraging healthy child and youth development. Contacts have been established in the refugee camps, and
The UK-Sri Lanka Trauma Group (UKSLTG) was founded in 1996 by a group of Sri Lankan expatriate and British mental health professionals concerned at the escalating civil conflict in Sri Lanka and its psychological impact. The group has been responsible for setting up a Sri Lanka-based organisation, SamutthĂŁna, which functions as a resource centre for mental health capacity building and
NOTICEBOARD I I have back issues of The Psychologist dating from January 2005 to the current edition that I can no longer store. If anyone would be interested in the copies, please contact me. I live in NW London. jesepowell@gmail.com I I have a complete set of The Psychologist dating from January 2000 to January 2008 which are all in Psychologist folders. If anyone is interested in them, please contact me. I live in the Kent area so if you are fairly local I can deliver otherwise we can arrange collection. Rowena Hawtin rowenahawtin@my121tutor.co.uk
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three British mental health facilitators (including myself) are volunteering their time to work on this meaningful project, as well two clinical psychologists in Turkey. The Child and War Foundation has extended its support on the project, and has put us in contact with the clinical psychologists in Turkey (one of whom works in the Turkish Red Crescent). The Foundation has validated and translated instruments to measure trauma and other mental health problems and has produced a manual to use in providing coping skills for the children in the refugee camps. It has also offered to provide training on these techniques using the manual for our volunteers. We are still fundraising for the project, and hope to be able to get funds to cover the flights and accommodation for volunteers. More mental health facilitators are needed to volunteer their time to visit the refugee camps to make this project a success; they need to speak Arabic. What’s more, expertise on venturing this major project before and after visits to Turkey is much needed (experts do not have to speak Arabic); as well as funding to cover basic expenses for volunteers visiting the refugee camps to offer mental health support like flights and accommodation. The Syrian people are calling for our help I hope we can answer. Please get in touch with me. Masa Al-kurdi m.alkurdi85@gmail.com
facilitates the work of volunteers from within Sri Lanka and overseas who wish to contribute and participate in training. Members of the UKSLTG provide pro bono high-quality training in coping with traumatic events and mental health issues resulting from the 26-year civil war and the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka. Using a network of trainers (mainly based in the UK but with Sri Lanka heritage or other links), it has responded to a demand for high-quality workshops covering how to work with people traumatised by war, torture, loss of home and community, death of loved ones and imprisonment in displacement camps. In addition the UKSLTG runs a range of workshops on more general topics such as addiction, working with children and families, loss and bereavement, to name but a few. The training and capacity-building activities are run at three levels so that Sri Lankan volunteers, as well as individuals with some training and mental health professionals, can benefit from programmes. With only one psychiatrist for every 120,000 people and only a handful of psychologists, mental health is not yet able to be prioritised to the degree that it might be. That is why SamutthĂŁna is focusing on supporting the development of more holistic and less medicalised
services that promote recovery, and that people can access in the community. The vision is that more people with mental health problems can take part in society and fulfil their potential. The UKSLTG is looking for experienced BPS chartered and HPC registered psychologists who are able to volunteer at least three or four months of their time to working in Sri Lanka. Enquires from people with links to Sri Lanka are encouraged to apply, although this is not essential. Our team based in the UK and Sri Lanka can provide orientation and support in advance of your trip and whilst you are in Sri Lanka. Clinical supervision will also be available via Skype. Volunteers have to be self-funding as the UKSLTG has no funding to cover flights and accommodation, but we are happy to assist with arranging these. If you would like further details please contact us at the e-mail address below. The UKSLTG is also running a seminar series throughout 2012 on renewal and reconciliation in post-war countries. Details can be found on www.uksrilankatrauma.org.uk and our Facebook page. Rachel Tribe University of East London info@uksrilankatrauma.org.uk
vol 25 no 9
september 2012