Addressing Community Mental Health

Community mental health is a vast concept with various initiatives and programmes under its umbrella. The area chosen for the purpose of the assignment is to address community mental health initiative addressing psychosocial needs of the people who have experienced massive forced displacement and/or identify as refugees. People migrate due to economic crisis, natural disasters, construction of dams and various others reasons that lead them into search for other opportunities, away from conflict and violence. There has been an observed increase in the number of refugees in low income nations (host community) with limited mental health care resources. Inflow of people further restricts the economy which impacts health, social, housing and educational
This leads to insufficient allocation of resources towards promotion of mental health by the government, practitioners and the society itself. Mental illness comes with a sense of stigma and with marginalised population; proving mental health care becomes even more difficult due to challenges such as discrimination, lack of awareness, social support and resources. Most commonly reported mental disorders in the refugee populations are emotional disorders, such as depressive and anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety, panic attacks, adjustment disorder, and somatisation. However, they also possess skills and labour expertise that if encouraged would benefit the community.
The refugees experience pre-flight, flight and resettlement (World Bank, 2016). Pre-flight phase includes loss of family members, belongings, witness killings including physical and emotional trauma. Flight phase includes the journey to the host location including travelling, experience at camps and detention centres and further stressors. The third phase i.e. resettlement includes loss of identity, familiarity, community and language along with the struggle to adopt new culture and adapt to new
These spaces were then able to utilised to provide improved social support and empower the capacity of refugees as individuals and as a community. The activities conducted in these spaces such as yoga and peer support groups are separated by gender. A mixed gender group is employed for glass painting and handicraft sessions. One of the critiques of the programmes suggested that there was a lack of income generating activities which were integral for survival and development of the community. The programme in response established stronger links to self reliance and livelihood programmes. Data on the outcome of this initiative was not found.
Community outreach addressed issues such as alienation, stigma and challenges faced in having access to support and services. A large team of volunteers, almost 140, was divided into different sectors of the programme such as MHPSS, health, education, care of minors and elderly. This provided a multidisciplinary framework supporting the principle of community caring for the community thus, establishing the concept of “collective healing” as there is personal well being by helping others. This helped UNHCR maintain a direct and meaningful contact with the community and its resources and