Do no harm issues in psychosocial support: Post-tsunami practitioner learning in Sri Lanka.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-233
Author(s):  
Michael Wessells ◽  
Kathleen Kostelny
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Do No Harm

scholarly journals Mental health and psychosocial support for families of missing persons in Sri Lanka: a retrospective cohort study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ida Andersen ◽  
Bhava Poudyal ◽  
Arundathi Abeypala ◽  
Carla Uriarte ◽  
Rodolfo Rossi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Somatic Pain ◽  
Somatic Distress ◽  
Missing Persons ◽  
Group Sessions

Abstract BackgroundThe International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has developed its ‘Accompaniment model’ to address the multi-faceted needs of relatives of people who go missing during armed conflict. In Sri Lanka an Accompaniment Programme was launched in 2015 for the relatives of the more than 16,000 missing persons who remain unaccounted for. Method1,783 relatives who took part in the mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) component of the ICRC’s Accompaniment Programme in Sri Lanka between April 2016 and August 2017 were offered eight peer-support group sessions, individual home visits, referrals to local services, and commemoration events to pay tribute to their missing relatives. Symptoms of anxiety and depression (using the HADS scale), somatic distress (using the BSI scale) and daily functioning (ICRC scale) were assessed before and after the MHPSS intervention. ResultsPrior to receiving support, Tamil and Muslim ethnicity, ≥60 years of age and civilian status were predictors of severe symptoms of anxiety; Tamil ethnicity, ≥50 years of age and being the mother of a missing person were predictors of severe symptoms of depression; and ≥50 years of age and severe symptoms of anxiety and depression were predictors of severe somatic pain. After receiving support, the vast majority of the relatives of missing persons showed reduced levels of anxiety (81%), depression (79%) and somatic pain (77%), as well as increased functioning (75%). Predictors of improvement following support were severe levels of distress at baseline and Tamil and Muslim ethnicity. In addition, attending at least three group sessions was a predictor of decreased anxiety, age group 51-60 was a predictor of decreased depression, female gender was a predictor of decreased somatic distress, and referrals were a predictor of increased functioning. ConclusionThe MHPSS component of the ICRC’s Accompaniment Programme is a promising approach to helping families to cope with not knowing the fate and whereabouts of their missing relatives, to reduce distress, to break their social isolation and to resume more functional lives. However, further research is needed, possibly through a controlled trial, to better establish the effectiveness of this approach.

scholarly journals Mental health and psychosocial support for families of missing persons in Sri Lanka: A retrospective cohort study

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ida Andersen ◽  
Bhava Poudyal ◽  
Arundathi Abeypala ◽  
Carla Uriarte ◽  
Rodolfo Rossi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Missing Persons

scholarly journals Do No Harm: Challenges in Organizing Psychosocial Support to Displaced People in Emergency Settings

Refuge ◽  
2008 ◽  
pp. 6-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael G. Wessells
Keyword(s):  
Impact Evaluation ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Do No Harm ◽  
Displaced People ◽  
Psychosocial Programs ◽  
Unintended Harm

Psychosocial assistance in emergencies plays an important role in alleviating suffering and promoting well-being, but it is often a source of unintended harm. A prerequisite for ethically appropriate support is awareness of how psychosocial programs may cause harm. This paper underscores the importance of attending to issues of coordination, dependency, politicization of aid, assessment, short-term assistance, imposition of outsider approaches, protection, and impact evaluation. With regard to each of these issues, it suggests practical steps that may be taken to reduce harm and maximize the humanitarian value of psychosocial assistance.

scholarly journals MANAGING HOUSING NEEDS IN POST CONFLICT HOUSING RECONSTRUCTION IN SRI LANKA: GAPS VERSES RECOMMENDATIONS

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krisanthi SENEVIRATNE ◽  
Dilanthi AMARATUNGA ◽  
Richard HAIGH
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Housing Development ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Irrigation Development ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
Do No Harm ◽  
Housing Needs ◽  
Housing Reconstruction

Addressing housing needs in post conflict housing reconstruction leads to successful housing reconstruction. As part of a study of investigating how the housing needs can be effectively addressed in post conflict housing reconstruction, this paper identifies the gaps in managing housing needs in post conflict housing reconstruction within the context of Sri Lanka and presents the recommendations to minimise such gaps. Data was collected through un-structured interviews conducted with 37 participants, comprising policy makers, practitioners, academics and beneficiaries who engaged in post conflict housing reconstruction in Sri Lanka. Gaps were mainly found in conflict sensitivity, measures related to physical housing, performance of implementing agencies, policy and practice issues. On the job training, application of ‘do no harm’ principles, enhanced beneficiary participation, enhanced accountability, effective monitoring, enhanced knowledge sharing, adequate drinking water facilities, irrigation development and initiatives for material manufacturing were suggested as recommendations to minimise these gaps. Identification of gaps in managing housing needs in post conflict housing reconstruction and recommendations to minimise them inform policy makers to address the housing needs effectively through incorporating these aspects into the related policies. This in turn enhances the sustainability in housing development after conflicts.

scholarly journals Mental health and psychosocial support response in Sri Lanka during pandemic COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Enoka Priyangani Wickramasinghe ◽  
Rohan Ratnayake ◽  
Yamuna Ellawala
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Psychosocial Support

scholarly journals Mental health and psychosocial support for families of missing persons in Sri Lanka a retrospective cohort study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ida Andersen ◽  
Bhava Poudyal ◽  
Arundathi Abeypala ◽  
Carla Uriarte ◽  
Rodolfo Rossi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Somatic Pain ◽  
Missing Persons ◽  
Group Sessions

Abstract Background: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has developed its ‘Accompaniment model’ to address the multi-faceted needs of relatives of people who go missing during armed conflict. In Sri Lanka an Accompaniment Programme was launched in 2015 for the relatives of the more than 16,000 missing persons who remain unaccounted for. Method: 1,783 relatives who took part in the mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) component of the ICRC’s Accompaniment Programme in Sri Lanka between April 2016 and August 2017 were offered eight peer-support group sessions, individual home visits, referrals to local services, and commemoration events to pay tribute to their missing relatives. Symptoms of anxiety and depression (using the HADS scale), somatic difficulties (using the BSI scale) and daily functioning (ICRC scale) were assessed before and after the MHPSS intervention. Results: Prior to receiving support, Tamil and Muslim ethnicity, ≥60 years of age and civilian status were predictors of severe symptoms of anxiety; Tamil ethnicity, ≥50 years of age and being the mother of a missing person were predictors of severe symptoms of depression; and ≥50 years of age and severe symptoms of anxiety and depression were predictors of severe somatic difficulties. After receiving support, the vast majority of the relatives of missing persons showed reduced levels of anxiety (81%), depression (79%) and somatic pain (77%), as well as increased functioning (75%). Predictors of improvement following support were severe levels of distress at baseline and Tamil and Muslim ethnicity. In addition, attending at least three group sessions was a predictor of decreased anxiety, age group 51-60 was a predictor of decreased depression, female gender was a predictor of decreased somatic difficulties, and referrals were a predictor of increased functioning. Conclusion: The MHPSS component of the ICRC’s Accompaniment Programme is a relevant approach to helping families to cope with not knowing the fate and whereabouts of their missing relatives, to reduce distress, to break their social isolation and to resume more functional lives. However, further research is needed, possibly through a controlled trial, to better establish the effectiveness of this approach.

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