It Takes a Village: Psychological Recovery in Complex Emergencies
Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: While qualitative and anecdotal field evidences provide compelling illustrations of the value of Mental Health (MH) relief work, the professional community has yet to arrive at a conceptual framework and evidenced-based practices. Additionally, the controversies surrounding understanding MH needs in complex emergencies, scarce resources and limited engagement time of relief organizations, offset the recognition of accomplishments. One solution to this could be a Community-Based Psychological Recovery (CBPR) paradigm where the MH specialists partner with the community to create self-sustaining support systems. It based on the recovery-oriented paradigm, where the success of individual psychological recovery determined by quality of community support providing secure sense of self, supportive relationships, empowerment, social inclusion, and meaning (SAMSHA, 2004). Trauma, famine, violence and marginalization challenge these supports. It CBPR facilitates recovery by mobilizing and strengthening recovery resources, and sensitizing community to the needs of vulnerable groups. In this way, it aims to prevent post-trauma communal violence and radicalization. CBPR model based on the premise that. With training and support, the local trauma specialists in the disasters, wars and ethnic conflicts zones can become powerful agents of change in restoring and strengthening the community’s capacity for self-reliance and healing. CBPR models piloted in Chechnya, Chernobyl, Kosovo, Liberia, and E. Ukraine.
Author: Elena Cherepanov
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W105428932