Intervention – Journal of Mental Health and Psychological Support in Conflict Affected Areas
March 2016 – Volume 14 – Issue 1 pp: 2-96
http://journals.lww.com/interventionjnl/pages/currenttoc.aspx

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Articles
A post disaster capacity building model in Peru
Rivera-Holguín, Miryam; Velázquez, Tesania; Morote, Roxana
Abstract
This paper presents a model of a capacity building intervention, which encompasses twophases: reception and familiarity (a process of getting to know people to beyond their problems) and community mobilisation. This intervention was conducted with 65 participants from Chincha (Peru) urban and rural areas after the earthquake of 15 August 2007, highlighting a community intervention that was based on the content and methodology generated during the sessions. It is grounded in the recognition of local capacities and putting collective action into practice, through workshops and art to enhance culture and identity and empower participants. The 65 participants were able to mobilise their communities to design and create 17 murals and signboards. The main achievements of this model of intervention were the progressive withdrawal of external professionals involved, the development of personal skills of community leaders (e.g. self efficacy, organisation), and the systematic increase of leadership and community participation.

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Mental health and psychosocial support for the internally displaced persons in Bannu, Pakistan
Humayun, Asma; Azad, Nadia; Haq, Israr ul; More
Abstract
Following armed conflict in the North Waziristan Agency, a mental health and psychosocial support initiative was launched for internally displaced persons in Bannu, Pakistan. This was convened by volunteer mental health professionals, in collaboration with a variety of agencies (provincial government, military, humanitarian agencies) in a security compromised region. As part of the initiative, monthly camps were held for a period of six months. Mental health needs were assessed. A multidisciplinary team (psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses and psychosocial workers) offered mental health care to 680 people who attended the camps, of which 28% were under the age of 18 years old. Twenty-one percent returned for follow-up, while others were followed-up in the community by psychosocial teams. Estimates of common mental disorders were found. Both pharmacological and psychological treatments were offered, according to existing guidelines. Active efforts were made to conduct holistic assessments and avoid a pure biomedical approach. This also provided an opportunity for training non specialist staff and led to formal (World Health Organization) mental health gap action plan training for primary care staff.