Reference :
V-P-BR-E-00362
Date :
05/2019
Caption :
Fortaleza. An ICRC staff member gives a 'Help the Helpers' training course on mental health and psychosocial support.
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
publication without restrictions
Description :
The training is offered to 18 public officers working in governmental organizations linked to health, education and social security.
ICRC website, 13.06.2019 article «Urban violence affects people's mental health and psychosocial well-being. With the aim of strengthening the mental health and skills of Fortaleza´s public service professionals, who are the first to offer support to communities, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) launched its "Caring for Caregivers" programme in 2019.
The programme, implemented with the support of the Municipality of Fortaleza, consists of training and self-care sessions offering basic psychological support for the professionals of the Health, Youth, Education, Human Rights and Social Development Secretariats of Fortaleza, and the professionals who work in Domestic Care Service.
"These people experience the same difficulties caused by urban violence as the communities they serve, while at the same time providing social services to the population. Their profession leaves them vulnerable to developing stress, depression and anxiety, in addition to other signs associated with secondary traumatic stress or secondary traumatic stress," explains the ICRC Mental Health and Psychosocial Support programme advisor, Elvis Posada Quiroga.
The Caring for Caregivers programme aims to address the psychological and psychosocial needs of these professionals. The objective of this training is to strengthen mental health and develop the skills needed for crisis intervention, active listening, empathy and stress management. By the end of the year, the goal is to train 60 people in three separate groups. Each group will meet ten times.
[…] The Caring for Caregivers programme also promotes dialogue with the secretariats. The objective is to educate the authorities in order for them to develop and strengthen mental health protocols for their professionals dealing with critical incidents resulting from armed violence.
The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support programme forms part of the activities that the ICRC carries out in the region to strengthen the development of psychosocial strategies that tackle the effects of violence on individuals and communities.»
Resolution :
3543x2362
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
