Peacework and mental health : from individual pathology to community responsibility

Using Canada and Ukraine as examples, this article asserts the importance of moving beyond addressing posttraumatic stress disorder as the major mental health focus in peacebuilding, to a more global whole health strategy as a way of building resilience in communities, preparing them better to deal with conflicts of different kinds, and generally providing habitus for people of all health and abilities to thrive. Authors who are academics, mental health service users and service providers examine current barriers to and movements toward mental health and wellness in their countries.

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Three models of scaling up mental healthcare post-disaster : common challenges

There are number of challenges in strengthening mental healthcare services in underserved areas post-disaster. The objective of this paper is to identify common challenges by comparing and contrasting three models of scaling up mental healthcare services post-disaster. Primary and secondary data were collected before, during and after mental health programming in Sri Lanka, Haiti and the Philippines.

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What works in psychosocial programming in humanitarian contexts in low- and middle-income countries : a systematic review of the evidence

While there is growing evidence for the effectiveness of mental health interventions in low- and middle-income countries and humanitarian contexts, this is lacking for psychosocial programming. We aimed to summarise the evidence for psychosocial programming in these contexts through a systematic review (PROSPERO: CRD42017069066) of peer-reviewed and grey literature of programme evaluations. A total of n=42,435 unique records were initially identified, with n=211 records meeting full inclusion criteria. We identified 51 randomised controlled trials of 47 different interventions.

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Screening for consequences of trauma – an update on the global collaboration on traumatic stress

This letter provides an update on the activities of “The Global Collaboration on Traumatic Stress” (GC-TS) as first described by Schnyder et al. in 2017. It presents in further detail the projects of the first theme, in particular the development of and initial data on the Global Psychotrauma Screen (GPS), a brief instrument designed to screen for the wide range of potential outcomes of trauma.

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Which groups affected by Potentially Traumatic Events (PTEs) are most at risk for a lack of social support? A prospective population-based study on the 12-month prevalence of PTEs and risk factors for a lack of post-event social support

Objectives
Little is known about the 12-month prevalence of potentially traumatic events (PTEs) and to what extent the type of PTE is a risk factor for post-event lack of social support. In addition, it is largely unknown if pre-event mental health problems and loneliness, and demographics are risk factors for a lack of support. Aim of the present prospective study is to fill these gaps in evidence-based knowledge.
 

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Randomised controlled trial of multi-modular motion-assisted memory desensitisation and reconsolidation (3MDR) for male military veterans with treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder

Objective
To explore the potential efficacy of multi-modular motion-assisted memory desensitisation and reprocessing (3MDR) in British military veterans with treatment-resistant, service-related PTSD.
 

Methods
Exploratory single-blind, randomised, parallel arm, cross-over controlled trial with nested process evaluation to assess fidelity, adherence and factors that influence outcome.
 

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The feasibility of prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD in low- and middle-income countries : a review

There is a need in the global south to evaluate and implement empirically supported psychological interventions to ameliorate symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Empirically supported treatments (ESTs) have increasingly been developed and implemented, yet the majority people in the global south do not have access to these treatments for mental disorders such as PTSD. Prolonged exposure therapy has accrued substantial empirical evidence to show it as an effective treatment for PTSD.

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Do caregivers’ perspectives matter? Working alliances and treatment outcomes in traumafocused cognitive behavioural therapy with children and adolescents

Background: Caregivers play a key role in the success of trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT). Yet, the effect of their alliance on treatment outcomes besides the
other parties in treatment has hardly been studied.
Objective: This study examined the working alliance (WA) of therapists, patients and caregivers in TF-CBT and its contribution on treatment outcome over time.

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Impact of dissociation on the effectiveness of psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder : meta-analysis

Background: any patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience dissociative symptoms. The question of whether these dissociative symptoms negatively influence the effectiveness of psychotherapy for PTSD is unresolved.

Aims: To determine the influence of dissociative symptoms on psychotherapy outcome in PTSD.

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Sequence matters : Combining Prolonged Exposure and EMDR therapy for PTSD

Objective
Investigating the influence of the sequence in which two evidence-based trauma-focused treatments are offered to PTSD-patients.

 

Methods
PTSD-patients were treated using an intensive eight-day treatment program, combining Prolonged Exposure (PE) and EMDR therapy. Forty-four patients received a PE session in the morning and an EMDR session in the afternoon, while 62 patients received the reversed sequence (EMDR followed by PE). Outcome measures were PTSD symptom severity and subjective experiences.

 

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