A program by and for refugees and asylum seekers. Mind-Spring

Transcription

1 A program by and for refugees and asylum seekers Mind-Spring 2009 drs.. Paul Sterk drs.. Barbara Kieft our sponsors 1

2 coördinatieteam 2

3 What is in a name? Spring Spring; the season of renewal A spring where water wells naturally to start a river Refers to the power of people to adept to a new situation A mechanism to release tension or energy (like a clock) or absorb energy (like a shock absorber). Mind Looking after Observing Spirit Intellect / cognition 3

4 Why a new program Mind-Spring Experience in post-war country Sierra-Leone. known psycho-education programs in Holland: No use of own population, powerful people Cultural aspect in psycho-education Preventing dependency, re-finding positive Identity Parenting support on demand Empowerment own strength re-finding mistrusting mental health service Own lagnuage own culture peer education recognition a new start Psychiatric hospital in Sierra Leone 4

5 Mind-Spring a preventative intervention Psycho-education, psychosocial and parenting support for refugees and asylum seekers in their own language and culture Carried out by a trainer with a refugee background and a professional from within the mental health care system The cooperation with trainers from within the (refugee) community is comparable to MSF counseling programs in Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka etc. 5

6 Mind-Spring methodology (Psycho) education (Parenting) support Cognition Empowerment Knowledge by experience Peer education how Training of Trainers Training of intermediary 6

7 Psycho-education Content Mind-Spring Information (psycho-education) on subjects such as: - stress, trauma, depression, feelings of guilt, changed identity, acculturation - Mental health care in the Netherlands 7

8 Concepts of Mind-Spring Training and learning (empowerment) - Sharing of experiences, but also sharing feelings of sorrow, anger and frustration - Coping with problems and their consequences - Rediscovering one s own strengths and defining areas of control - Learning to be responsible for one s own wellbeing. Not depending on others, not getting absorbed in victim role - Developing positive self (identity) - Participants learn how to recognize their own problems and how to ask for further help - When necessary, participants can be referred to professional help by the trainers 8

9 Parenting support In psycho-education groups, parenting turned out to be an important topic In asylum seekers centres, children have problems because of the parents' situation Support for refugee/asylum seekers parents was asked for by different organizations 9

10 Parenting support Supporting the parenting role Awareness building, making choices & self-evaluation - Which choices do you make and do you recognise why you make that choice? - What basic assumptions do you have? (fear, anxiety) - Are you aware of hidden fears and motives that influence your parenting style? - What may be underlying your decisions (having to return and prepare your children for the other culture, etc.) Mind-Spring 10 Opvoedingsondersteuning

11 Who s target group? People who find it hard to raise children within two cultures People who try to hold on to cultural values, but notice that children westernise faster than they would like. When parenting derails People who feel insecure about their parenting skills Mind-Spring 11 Opvoedingsondersteuning

12 New AMA s Single Minor Asylumseekers Ex-AMA s = 18 to 23 years Manual in concept is written, 1 st pilot will start after summer 12

13 Mind-Spring offers: Methodology development Training of trainers psy-education and Parenting Individual support?? Training of Intermediairy who work with asylum seekers Evaluation and monitoring Coaching, consultancy Assessments on mental health interventions 13

14 effects A new start 14

15 Appreciated by participants Subjects - Former and newly acquired identities (self-image and possibilities) - Feeling more secure in Dutch culture - Coping with daily hassles, complaints - Normal reactions to abnormal situations, trauma, grief, depression, sion, stress???? Interactions with fellow participants - Discussions in own language /culture/ religion - Sharing experiences and coping strategies with fellow asylum seekers ekers /refugees More feelings of control than before - Damage control for the time being (asylum seekers centre) Effects of trainer and co-trainer - Being heard - Positive attitude, role modelling of trainer Exercise What is important? How much control do you have? What area do you put most energy in? What area is within your control? Research on effects planned in 2010!! 15

16 Effects of the Mind-Spring program Some quotes from participants I experienced the training as being a personal support, I learned a lot. I consider the subjects in the training as very relevant to the situation that I am in right now. I notice I do not get as agitated as I did before the course. Whenever someone got angry at me, I reacted furiously.. I do not do this anymore and also have less problems sleeping. We now have become our own doctors. Mind-Spring is like a community (facilitates trust and recognition) It helped me to learn that I am not the only one having problems. I now have more understanding of mental problems. 16

17 Spin off s s for the Mind-Spring trainers Refugees Useful work experience, chance to prove qualities Internship for studies (social work/psychology) Practicing Dutch language in field of profession Integration Helpful for one s s own personal problems Asylum seekers Meaningful way to spend time Improved self-esteem esteem Work experience, to be used either in the Netherlands or back in the country of origin Helpful for one s s own personal problems 17

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19 Mind-Spring HealthnetTPO Afghanistan international?? Sierra-Leone Burundi Voluntairy return program Information / presentations given Oekraine Danmark Belgium GrBrit Scotland?????? Team Mind-Spring Methodology development Training of trainers -Parenting --psychoeducation -Individual support?? - Intermediairy training -Evaluation en monitoring -Coaching, consultancy -Assessments etc VluchtelingenWerk Nl Mentalhealth organistions NGO s GGZ-BJZ PsyQ etc GGZ-BJZ PsyQ etc GGZ-BJZ PsyQ etc 19

20 Training of trainers Recruiting refugees (preferably highly educated, background/affinity helping others, motivated for psychosocial work) Materials (reader for trainers) Minimal 8 full days of training by mental health care professionals who know the Mind-Spring methodology Practice of two trainings 20

21 European Funding Communautaire funding Trans national projects Stimulating cooperation within European Union 21

22 Identity en changed identity Exercise from the handbook 22

23 Identity How do you evaluate your identity NOW? What roles did you have in country of origin?? asylumseeker? teacher teacher? father?? Victim? father?? Elderly community? leader 23

24 Self identity at asylum-seeker center Teacher Father Owner of house identity in country of origin Asylumseeker Father, head of family Teacher New self identity in the future janitor at asylum seekers centre Soccer player volunteer teacher asylumseeker father soccer coach 24

25 Thank you for your attention! GGZ Dijk en Duin Afd. Preventie Westzijde EJ Zaandam (the Netherlands)

26 Starting a Mind-Spring program Training high-educated refugees Embedding program in mental health care (cooperation Mind-Spring trainer, mental health care worker) Networking within refugee communities, or organizations who work with refugees Supervision trainers/workers 26

27 Embedding program mental health (1) Defining responsible umbrella organization (i.e. Red Cross) Ensure finances for Mind-Spring training (compare Dutch sit. Health ensurance or community funding) Locate qualified professionals (psychologists, psyhiatric nurses, preferably with experience helping refugees) 27

28 Embedding mental health care(2) Training of professionals in Mind- Spring methodology Locate refugee group for Mind-Spring training (see also next slide) Matching of refugee training (language, culture of Mind-Spring group) with professional 28

29 Networking within refugee communities Use contacts of refugee trainer or others (key-figures) who know the refugee communities to inform and recruite participants Be open to needs that specific communities may have in regard to content of training, but also time of training, location etc. 29

30 Recruitment, forming of groups In cooperation with asylum seekers centre authorities or medical staff In cooperation with refugee organizations, through community networking Active role of refugee trainer is important factor for success 30

31 Supervision trainers/workers The first training executed by Mind- Spring trainers needs to mentored by mental health care professional (unless MS trainer is also mental health care prof.), since this functions as an internship following the Training of trainers Overall supervision/intervision is suggested to improve trainers qualities and discuss difficulties or emotions 31