Comparing a trauma focused and non trauma focused intervention with war affected Congolese youth: a preliminary randomised trial

While there is broad consensus about the need for interventions to help psychologically distressed, war affected youth, there is also limited research and even less agreement on which interventions work best. Therefore, this paper presents a randomised trial of trauma focused, and non trauma focused, interventions with war affected Congolese youth.

Measuring suffering: assessing chronic stress through hair cortisol measurement in humanitarian settings

Ever increasing humanitarian crises involve prolonged population displacement, a known trigger for chronic stress, which in turn highlights the need for chronic stress to be addressed more explicitly within humanitarian aid work. This calls for better tools to both assess chronic stress in these situations of extended displacement, as well as methods to evaluate the impact of psychosocial interventions in such settings. Noting these challenges, this paper proposes the use of hair cortisol concentration sampling to measure long-term suffering and stress.

Surviving juntas (together): lessons of resilience of indigenous Quechua women in the aftermath of conflict in Peru

Research into survivors of war has largely focused on suffering, rather than on the resilience, of survivors. This paper presents a cross-sectional survey that examined the factors contributing to the resilience of indigenous Quechua women (n = 151) in the aftermath of Peruvian armed conflict (1980-2000). Regular participation in civic associations, and the migratory status of returnees after the conflict, were associated with higher resilience.

How to eat an elephant: psychosocial support during an Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone

This field report summarises some of the problems, challenges and psychosocial issues facing Sierra Leone Red Cross National Society staff and volunteers, related to the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak, as well as local responses at a time when the rest of the world was just becoming aware of the disease as a real threat. The author provides a brief outline of what was, and is, needed and what she managed to plan and implement to help support the overall Ebola operation in Sierra Leone, as well as improve staff and volunteer support and the training of trainers.

Psychosocial support during the Ebola outbreak in Kailahun, Sierra Leone

This field report describes the author's deployment as a psychosocial delegate to the International Federation of Red Cross Ebola epidemic response in Sierra Leone during June and July 2014. He highlights the ongoing impact of an epidemic in a post conflict zone, how addressing fear and stigma is essential in social mobilisation and capacity building efforts, as well as providing empowering messages that give hope and foster collaboration between epidemic responders and community members.

An outbreak of fear, rumours and stigma : psychosocial support for the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in West Africa

This field report summarises the experience and lessons learnt by the author, who was deployed as an International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies psychosocial delegate to Liberia for the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in July and August 2014. Psychosocial issues encountered in the field, including fear in local communities and among aid workers, the spreading of rumours, heath measures interfering with traditional rituals and stigmatisation are discussed in detail. Also included are suggestions for dealing with these issues and actions taken during the mission.

Mental illness and health in Sierra Leone affected by Ebola: lessons for health workers

Sierra Leone is currently going through the worst Ebola epidemic on record, creating anxiety and anxiety related, somatic symptoms. Additionally, increased psychiatric morbidity could be expected as a result of the adverse social and psychological consequences of the epidemic, exposing the country's weak, poorly resourced mental health services and highlighting the need for psychosocial interventions and development of psychiatric interventions.

The travellers dance: how Ebola prevention measures affect day to day life

While the international community remains concerned and focused on the potential spread of Ebola out of Africa, the author states that they also frequently ignore the deep psychological pain that the measures implemented to combat the disease are causing within impacted communities, as do the national authorities. She provides a snapshot of this moment in the crisis and highlights the painful impacts, dehumanising measures and makes a plea for international organisations to do more to be mindful of this pain.

Beyond the crisis: building back better mental health care in 10 emergency-affected areas using a longer-term perspective

Background
Major gaps remain – especially in low- and middle-income countries – in the realization of comprehensive, community-based mental health care. One potentially important yet overlooked opportunity for accelerating mental health reform lies within emergency situations, such as armed conflicts or natural disasters. Despite their adverse impacts on affected populations’ mental health and well being, emergencies also draw attention and resources to these issues and provide openings for mental health service development.
Case description

Improving mental health care in humanitarian emergencies

The mental health needs of people affected by emergencies are significant, but often overlooked by health-care providers. The world is facing an unprecedented number of humanitarian emergencies arising from conflict and disasters. In 2014, nearly 60 million people were forcibly displaced due to conflict, the highest number on record. Climatic and geological hazards continue to take their toll, as seen recently following the devastating earthquake in Nepal, cyclone in Vanuatu and flooding in China, Malawi and Myanmar.

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