| 24th January 2005 |
| UNICEF, WHO, UNDP, NIMHANS, SCARF, IMH, and SMHA Consultative Meet on Psycho-Social Support in Disaster Affected Tamil Nadu
For further information, contact:
WHO Country Office:
Dr. A.K. Sengupta,
Tel: 98101-78436; 011-2301-5922
UNICEF:
Emergency Coordinator:
Per-Olov Lennartsson,
Tel: 044-2435-0332 x221/206
Bhoomika Trust:
Dr. Lakshmi Ravikanth,
Tel: 98400-57199;
resolver19@yahoo.co.uk
The framework, ideas and goals set out at the meeting are in line with Bhoomika's regarding psychosocial support.
Major Takeaways: |
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Build capacity for whole system. |
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Long-term preparation and prevention work - most of those affected will be mentally strong in 2-3 months but about 20-30% will require long-term help. |
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Ensure that future aid work includes a psychosocial focus from the very beginning. |
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Six-month follow-up should take place, but there should be a 2-year plan. |
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Initial task should be to identify those that need care-important to take note of the quiet versus just the ones that are more vocal. |
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People to focus on for care:
- Children
- Women - specifically with respect to skill upgradation
- Widowed fathers
- Physically disabled- those left disabled will likely not be able to return to their pre-disaster occupations (i.e., fishing); government will give money, however alternative livelihood options need to be found and coordinated
- Relief workers including community workers - many individuals have been in the field since the disaster without a break and also require counseling to avoid burnout
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Existing local workers should be trained and mobilized, especially those that know the community (e.g., teachers, panchayat leaders, priests, postmen).
- Often, those that are involved in providing logistical assistance (i.e. help with filling out forms, etc.) are by default the ones that provide psychosocial support. It is important to train these individuals as well
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Training of Trainers (TOT)- initially should be very basic, conducted in groups and mostly verbally without a lot of material handouts; use already available training materials |
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Adoption- government has set procedures for orphanages and adoptions |
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Logistical needs:
- Database of all that have been trained and refresher courses
- Establish a tracking method to keep track of progress of survivors/victims/patients (i.e. ID cards)
- Apex coordinating agency to coordinate and involve all psychiatrists and psychologists, organize existing manpower and communicate between NGOs, coordinate materials available
- Collaborate with state agencies
- Database of materials with basic tips for normalization
- Set up referral mechanisms
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Proposed Module for Care: |
Level 4: Mental Health Team |
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At District level |
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Government has promised to roll this out |
Level 3: Primary Health Center doctors and their teams |
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These would be private medical practitioners |
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Possess mapping of affected areas and serve as coordinators to allocate responsibility |
Level 2: Government/School functionaries |
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Possess capability to link with others |
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Focus on longstanding systems (i.e., long-term local NGOs, teachers, nurses, local SHGs, panchayat leaders, etc.) |
Level 1: Community and community level workers (grassroots level) |
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These individuals will need to be identified |
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Responsibilities for specific homes should be assigned to assure both accountability and that all affected persons are given appropriate care |
