Shamaila Khan, PhD Crystal Taylor, MS Cidna Valentin, MPhil, MA

Transcription

1 Shamaila Khan, PhD Crystal Taylor, MS Cidna Valentin, MPhil, MA 2 nd Annual Conference on Haitian Mental Health The Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology Saturday, May 4 th, 2013

2 Following the 2010 earthquake, Haiti received a world-wide relief response Risk Reduction and strengthening resilience methods that are culturally attuned and sensitive are critical elements in promoting sustainable development Supporting and utilizing the close Haitian community is central to strengthening and maintaining resilience

3 To present the potentially multifaceted role of mental health professionals in interdisciplinary care delivery. To discuss views on the successes and challenges in providing short-term vs long-term care in Haiti, with broader implications for post-disaster response and it s impact on resilience. To provide information regarding the different systems and collaborative efforts involved in the outreach projects and the role those collaborations play in capacity building, communal thriving and maintaining/strengthening resilience. For participants to engage in a discussion about the cross-cultural factors and multicultural sensitivities necessary for providing wellness/psychological services in a developing country and the factors that may be necessary in supporting resiliency in Haiti and the Diaspora.

4 Kermit Crawford, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Shamaila Khan, Ph.D., Program Director Regina Pierre, Ph.D., Clinical Consultant Joel Piton, M.Ed., Lead Trainer Louise Carcione., General Trainer

5 Grant given through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration s (SAMSHA) Provided behavioral health services to affected populations in Boston post-earthquake, Uniquely qualified staff members evidenced-based disaster behavioral health interventions Included Haitian professionals bi-cultural and bi-lingual speakers utilizing a cultural lens and sensitivity

6 Direct Services Aimed at Recovery & Resilience Psychological First-Aid Bi-cultural & bi-lingual clinicians Linking with resources in Haitian communities Facilitating process groups to discuss & share experiences

7 Array of extended services to facilitate recovery & build resilience Trained staff at community health centers clinicians serving affected populations shared their skills & experiences Linked programs with local Haitian leaders and spiritual leaders

8 Brockton Neighborhood Health Center The Dimock Center Mattapan Community Health Center Cambridge Health Alliance Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center Upham s Corner Health Center Codman Square Health Center Joseph M. Smith Community Health Center Whittier Street Health Center All trainings focused on: utilizing a cultural lens & cultural sensitivity Haitian Cultural Beliefs Overview Encouraged incorporating traditional healing practices Importance of self-care

9 ESF-Team Haiti Mental Health/Wellness

10 Philadelphia-based non-profit progressive, multi-disciplinary, global humanitarian organization serves populations domestically (in Philadelphia) and internationally (in Haiti and Senegal) 100% Volunteer Based 95% Privately Funded Founder and President- Shonta D. Collins, RN, BSN, MBA

11 Reoriented toward rehabilitation, recovery, and sustainability. To foster the growth and development through interrelationship building Haitians helping Haitians, supporting resiliency ESF s Haiti projects includes sending medical care staff to set up triage units in tent cities, orphanages, and other communities Collaborate with Haitian doctors, nurses, medical techs and other non-medical personnel

12 Psycho-education about the connection between mind and body for staff and patients (5-10min). Group mindfulness exercises for adults and children (3-5 min) Individual mental health/wellness consults Utilizing mindfulness & behavioral interventions

13 ESF s goal is to use mindfulness as an overall wellness practice Non-Western approach Teach patients about the connections between their thoughts feelings, stress and somatic symptoms Show thru mindfulness how to fully participate in those experiences that can bring serenity and peace to their life Focus attention away from distressing thoughts in order to decrease stress, anxiety, or fear that may have resulted from traumatic experiences or psychosocial factors

14 Capacity building for multidisciplinary health care in Haiti Empowering individuals in Haiti with the resources and skills Financial support to maintain and run medical clinics staffed with Haitian employees

15 Attend to psychological factors that may impede health and feelings of wellness Educate Haitian individuals with information about distress, mental health and somatic symptoms Collaborate with spiritual & psychology professionals from Haiti to provide mental health/wellness support

16 Nou menm ayisyèn, nou kwè nan sa k rele fèy la anpil nou plis kwè d abord anvan nou kouri chache doktè, ou chache al nan pye bwa ki kote nap jwenn yon solisyon [Us Haitians, we believe in what s called herbs a lot.before we seek a doctor, we seek the trees for a solution ]

17 Qualitative dissertation study which aimed to To explore participants experience and perceptions of giving and receiving healthcare in post-earthquake Haiti To explore participants beliefs about illness and attitudes about traditional healing methods

18 23 patients 23 providers Patients on average between 30-45yo Providers on average between 26-33yo Mostly female patients and providers Mostly physicians

19 Over half of patients reported practice of traditional healing methods before, instead of, or after receiving medical care Some patients found traditional healing practices more effective and more affordable Many providers supported patients practice, while some indicated problems with patients practice Only one provider discussed incorporation of traditional methods in his practice

20 Traditional healing practices are major and longpreserved elements of Haitian culture Health professionals should explore ways to better recognize and incorporate patients traditional practices in healthcare Promotes patients sense of self-agency, which has implications for resilience Recognizes a community-based health system that operates parallel to the modern health system There is a need to understand the complex ethnocultural and social history of Haiti in order to understand the resistance to an integration of traditional and modern health care among Haitian providers

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22 Supporting and utilizing the close Haitian community as a central factor is integral to strengthening and maintaining resilience This poses a challenge for those in the Diaspora and their service providers Both in Haiti and the Diaspora, religion and spiritual faith are key aspects of resilience Spirituality seems to be a central part of Haitian culture and shapes the fabric of everyday life, and from this faith stems hope, strength and resilience Traditional healing is a key aspect of Haitian health culture that continues to be devalued in spite of strong practice in Haiti and among the Diaspora A critical lens is needed in exploring traditional healing methods as a cornerstone for supporting resilience when providing health services to Haitian communities

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