Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Psychosocial Programme
Compiled by
Michael R. Montgomery
I. INTRODUCTION: 1
V. RECRUITMENT OF VOLUNTEERS: 11
X. APPENDIX: 18
What is psychosocial?
The term psychosocial is used by many agencies and individuals to mean many things. In
its simplest form the concept points to the psychological and social aspects of an
individual’s interaction with family, friends and society. It can be seen as more holistic
approach to mental well-being and it incorporates a range of models of mental ill health
in addition to the biological-medical model.
Economic
Resources
Psychosocial in the context of this document is used to refer to the interventions that
may improve an individual or community’s mental well-being, endeavouring to reduce
prolonged distress caused by the response to a disaster situation.
The more subjective elements of mental health including the actual causes can be made
more objective when witnessing the psychological response to an emergency. It is clear
that increased stress through the hardships faced by disaster, coupled with the distress
caused by witnessing extreme events, and assimilating loss and bereavement, can
contribute to issues with mental ill health in some people.
Some of these issues can include insomnia, anxiety, depression, loss of appetite,
lethargy, lack of motivation, aggression, irritability, despair, intrusive thoughts,
hopelessness, unpleasant dreams, somatic conditions and severe mental distress or
mental ‘illness’.
Whilst many of these initial issues can be seen initially as a natural or appropriate
response to disaster, prolonged occurrence can indicate that individuals and
communities need additional support.
What is the usual presentation for someone who has lost their home, livelihood, friends,
and loved ones? Whilst avoiding the medicalization of human misery Mercy Malaysia is
committed to developing its psychosocial programme empowering communities to
reduce distress and enhance recovery.
Background
Mercy has previously provided a broad spectrum of psychosocial interventions, on a
self-contained basis, in varying contexts. These have included (see Appendix):
It is understood that different cultures have their own ways of dealing with terrible
traumas. Therefore it is important to avoid the medicalization of human misery and
suffering by avoiding focusing, where possible, on trauma and pathology, and keeping
community, culture, spirituality, and resilience front of mind. The objective of Mercy’s
psychosocial programme is to use a strengths-focused, community-based
empowerment model, targeting those who are most vulnerable with a clear focus on
recovery.
The challenge will be to optimise resource to the maximum benefit to all beneficiaries.
The target outputs are: General Psychosocial Intervention Methodology, General Field
Manual For Psychosocial Interventions, Initial Training Programme for Staff, Screening
System for Volunteers, Focused Training Programme for Volunteers and Development Of
Training Of Trainers.
A. PROJECT PLAN
Purpose:
Compiled by:
Resources:
Interdependencies:
Sustainability:
Risks:
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To consolidate psychosocial initiatives into a structured
programme, ensuring a focused, ethical and community
empowerment strategy, offering beneficiaries a degree of
consistency and professionalism whilst reducing the potential for
further trauma, abandonment, loss or oppression
Michael Montgomery
Access to wide research base
Meetings with Mercy staff to discuss logistics
Contact with previous volunteers to gain feedback on
missions and insight into their experience
All training materials will be systematised and archived for
future use
An approved Methodology will be converted into a field
manual for consistence adherence to strategy
That by creating a methodology volunteers fails to embrace
the nuances of each new situation including the depth of
cultural difference and context including new strengths or
potential threats
People get confused over breadth of psychosocial offering
1. An initial literature review has produced detailed and unified research and policy
on psychosocial best practice in disaster environments
2. A decision will have to be made as to what depth Mercy Malaysia intends to
provide a psychosocial programme or whether it wishes to develop a
methodology and filter available resource through this to develop consistency
3. Psychosocial Intervention may be effective in a different sequence than other
medical and humanitarian interventions for example interventions in early
trauma counselling for those beneficiaries who have not recovered at the same
rate may prevent the more serious development of PTSD or other mental
distress at a later date. Therefore intervention including assessments and
referrals in the post-disaster stage could be seen as preventative work
4. By using support from local volunteers/staff to test and amend the concepts it
will be possible to create a methodology with maximum local cultural relevance,
beneficiary appropriateness, and international best practice for psychosocial
interventions
Psychosocial Assessments
Offline Assessment and Preparation: Online Assessment:
Awareness of cultural context and What agencies are involved and are
background including values there any assessments live
Establishing if there are traditional Ensure organic causes are eliminated
coping mechanisms for distress such as head injury or toxic effects
Confirming if groups or one-to-one Strengths assessment
interventions are appropriate and Cultural and community focused
exploring the most appropriate setting Building resilience and coping
conducive to engagement mechanisms
Amendment of assessment tool to Early Referral System
incorporate the above
*Clinical professionals are professionals with clinical experience and training including: Clinical
Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Psychiatric Social Workers, Psychiatric Nurses, Occupational Therapists,
Psychotherapists and Psychiatrists
All= Psychosocial Assistants (PSAs), Counsellors and Clinical Professionals
A. PROJECT PLAN
Purpose: To provide a hardcopy outlining the psychosocial programme
Compiled by: Michael Montgomery
Resources: Access to wide research base including the potential purchase of
psychosocial interventions in disasters materials
Interdependencies: Budget for design and printing
Corporate sponsorship
Sustainability: A online version should be considered for immediate update,
accessibility and reproduction
Risks: People may rely too heavily on the manual and not be flexible
enough to shifting situation and demands
The manual does not get periodically reviewed and updated
therefore becomes a liability to best practice
Timeline: Initial research, scoping and Project Plan: Dec 2007
Further research and considerations: Jan 2008
Start to compile in line with methodology: Feb 2008
Continue to compile with methodology to date: Mar 2008
1. The scope of the field manual will need further definition including proposed length,
content and final medium
2. Initial sections could be commenced including facts sheets on core issues for
example ethics and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
A. PROJECT PLAN
Purpose: To raise awareness within the existing team of mental health
issues and psychosocial interventions. The proposed training will
be modular in order to offer a chance to review and amend the
inputs to optimise learning experience.
Facilitated by: Michael Montgomery and Potential Specialist Volunteers
Resources: Use of training facility
Refreshments
Interdependencies: Process for inviting staff
Staff time
Sustainability: The programme will be created in PowerPoint with
accompanying notes in order to provide future trainers with all
the necessary material to complete the training
Risks: Turnover/accessibility of staff may mean non-attendance
therefore making new modules less relevant or more challenging
Timeline: Initial research, scoping and Project Plan: Dec 2007
Further research and considerations: Jan 2008
Initial awareness training day: Feb 2008
Review training and explore the need for more days: Mar 2008
V. RECRUITMENT OF VOLUNTEERS
A. PROJECT PLAN
Purpose: To recruit an new bank of psychosocial assistants and specialists
who will be trained in the new psychosocial programme
Compiled by: Michael Montgomery
Resources: Adapting of existing screening models and best practice
Interdependencies: Support from recruitment personnel to develop a recruitment
policy for psychosocial assistants and specialists
Sustainability: The recruitment department will observe the process of
recruitment from the initial intake in addition to institutions and
partners being educated in what the requirements are
Risks: Alienating some specialists due to the need for some
retraining
Alienating volunteers due to the nature of the recruitment
policy
Attract a large number of unusable individuals wishing to get
psychosocial experience
Timeline: Initial research, scoping and Project Plan: Dec 2007
Review previous volunteers and explore new recruitment
streams: Jan 2008
Interview new candidates: Feb 2008
Multidisciplinary Working:
A. PROJECT PLAN
Purpose: To ensure that consideration is given to the current suitability of
volunteers to psychosocial interventions in disaster environment.
This is to safeguard against the stress and trauma for the
volunteer and to ensure solid and equipped volunteers for the
beneficiaries
Compiled by: Michael Montgomery
Resources: Adapting of existing screening models and best practice
Interdependencies: Support from recruitment personnel to incorporate the screening
into their existing recruitment process
Sustainability: The system will be compiled and implemented and reviewed after
implementation and post filed debrief. Once reviewed it will be
become a ongoing component of the recruitment process
Risks: If integrated with general recruitment it may take more time
in the interview process
The nature of the screening may put some people off
volunteering
Timeline: Initial research, scoping and Project Plan: Dec 2007
System integration: Jan 2008
Implementation: Feb 2008
A. PROJECT PLAN
Purpose: To train Specialists, Counsellors and Psychosocial Assistants
(PSAs) on core competencies of psychosocial programme and
Specialists in strategy for intervention to reduce role ambiguity,
reduce role conflicts and explore role position and limitations.
Facilitated by: Michael Montgomery and Selected Specialists
Resources: Use of Training Facility
Refreshments
Interdependencies: Staff Time
Sustainability: The programme will be created in PowerPoint with
accompanying notes in order to provide future trainers with all
the necessary material to complete the training.
Risks: May give false sense of ability
Timeline: Initial research, scoping and Project Plan: Dec 2007
Further research of previous training including feedback from
participants: Jan 2008
Development of training modules: Feb 2008
Delivery of first wave of training for volunteers: Mar 2008
1. This programme will could offer two main training programmes, ideally these
programmes would be integrated to support team building:
a. Psychosocial training for specialists
b. Training for counsellors and psychosocial assistants
2. Suggested areas covered:
What is psychosocial
Mental Health
Impact of interventions
Psychosocial first aid
Communication skills: Listening to others and oneself, Empathy, NVC
Counselling Skills
Protecting oneself
Boundaries
3. The desired level of intervention will effect the final training package
A. PROJECT PLAN
Purpose: To deliver psychosocial education and training to trainers in
beneficiary community to ensure sustainable and culturally
appropriate responses to distress
Facilitated by: Michael Montgomery and Selected Specialists
Resources: Use of Training Facility
Refreshments
Interdependencies: Staff Time
Sustainability: The programme will be created in PowerPoint with
accompanying notes in order to provide future trainers with all
the necessary material to complete the training.
Risks: May give false sense of ability
Timeline: Initial research, scoping and Project Plan: Dec 2007
Further research of previous training including feedback from
participants: Jan 2008
Development of training modules: Feb 2008
Delivery of first wave of training for volunteers: Mar 2008
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CSTS (2007) ‘Psychological First Aid - Psychological First Aid: How You Can Support Well-
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2005
Aceh, Indonesia
Mental Health Support Programmes at various IDP (Internally Displaced People) camps:
Counselling
Community Intervention
Drawing and Story Telling Activities
Distress identified:
PTSD symptoms with anxiety and depression
Unresolved grief
Major Depression
(Yasmin Majid)
Feb 2005
Nov 2005
Pakistan
Dec 2005
Pakistan
KL
Yogjakarta, Indonesia
Nov 2006