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Thirty-six Iraqi refugees designed and conducted a community survey among their fellow refugees in Amman/Jordan in July 2007, as part of the 2007/08 CARE International Refugee Programme in Jordan1. The survey aimed to capture their living conditions from a community mental health perspective, with a special focus on gender based violence, and to identify resources for community development initiatives. Three hundred and fifty-four Iraqis, between the age of 10 and 86 years, were interviewed through a mixture of institution based and ‘snowball’ sampling. This article highlights the general challenges to studying temporary communities under distress, and the special obstacles to gathering valid and reliable information on sensitive topics, such as violence, in a situation of pervasive fear and mistrust. The main findings are presented and discussed with regard to projects and activities that can strengthen refugee communities' mental health.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]

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This article describes a participative ranking methodology for identifying local understanding of reintegration and adjustment of potential value in programme planning and evaluation. It was applied in the specific context of girls formerly associated with fighting forces in Sierra Leone. Fourteen discussion groups, utilizing spontaneous listing and participative ranking activities, within a focus group framework, were conducted in 10 communities. Discussions served to identify family support, marriage, involvement in communal activities and income generating activities as locally seen as significant indicators of a girl's successful reintegration after the war. This method offers a flexible approach to identifying culturally relevant indictors of reintegration that have the potential for wide use in programme planning and evaluation.

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This paper reflects on some of the moral dilemmas inherent in the provision of counselling for Iraqi refugees by highlighting the day-to-day experiences of psychosocial counsellors employed by an international nongovernmental organization (INGO) in Jordan. It is argued that the lack of clarity in role, short term recruitment policies, confused demands on INGOs and the complexity of the political situation of Iraqis in Jordan contribute to profound, and often insoluble, moral dilemmas for local staff charged with providing front line counselling services. These dilemmas are rarely discussed explicitly, but permeate every aspect of the refugee and counsellor interaction. Having identified the issues raised, specific suggestions as to how they may be addressed are put forward.

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This article focuses on the resilience of children facing extreme hardship and adversity. It is based on participatory research with children living in child headed households in Rwanda. It emphasizes the importance of listening to children's voices and recognizing their capacities when designing interventions to strengthen their psychosocial wellbeing. This study shows that children have developed innovative and profitable coping strategies and some have even developed the capacity to thrive through their situation of extreme hardship. The study of these coping strategies suggests that the children displayed resourcefulness, responsibility, and a sense of morality. However, when the stressors in a child's life became too great, they tended to employ negative, and potentially harmful, strategies to cope. A community based approach should focus on strengthening overall community wellbeing, and should aim to build on the capacities of children, such as their positive coping mechanisms and resilient characteristics. At the same time, it should appropriately address their areas of vulnerability. Existing protective factors should also be identified and further developed in interventions.

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A two week training (in English) for experienced mental health workers to become internationally competent counsellors/trainers in art therapy & trauma will be held. The training is intended for aid workers from Europe who, in their day-to-day work, encounter one or more of the consequences of torture, natural disaster, war, violence or abuse and who want to be able to teach Art Therapy and Trauma to counsellors from low-income countries in practical interventions. The European nature of the training enables the participants to get acquainted with insights, customs, values and standards from different cultures, as well as expanding theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Dates and location: 22-26 June and 29 June-3 July 2009, at the Hogeschool Utrecht (University Utrecht) in Amersfoort. More information? Check www.csw.hu.nl or www.ictep.com The training is organized by Hogeschool Utrecht (University Utrecht) and ICTEP (Centre for Treatment and Advanced Training in Art Therapy)

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South Africa held its first democratic elections in 1994. Fourteen years later, it is clear that ex-combatants remain a vulnerable group. A limited disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process has meant that many ex-combatants continue to face serious challenges. A number of nongovernmental organizations have taken up the task of addressing the psychosocial needs of this group. This paper describes their interventions and the impact on ex-combatants, as well as the challenges still facing this group. Perspectives from both ex-combatants and organizational members were gathered. The paper concludes that in order to address the psychosocial needs of South African ex-combatants the following changes are required: increased political will, more platforms for consultation, prioritizing economic empowerment, targeted psychosocial healing and recognition.

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