Shahla Eltayeb
Ahfad University for Women
Title: Road to Resilience: mental health and psychosocial services in low resource settings
Biography:
Abstract:
Sudan has endured the longest civil war in Africa since 1983, the largest internally displaced population(UNHCR2013)
The gap in care for mental health illnesses in Sudan is large; most of the people affected do not have access to the treatment they need (WHO, 2008). Mental health facilities in conflict-affected Sudan are few and concentrated in urban centres; they are difficult to access and lack enough adequately trained professionals. The objectives of this study is to offer an example of a framework and approaches in developing a trauma healing and mental health service in conflict settings introduced by Ahfad University for Women and partners by setting up a dedicated Trauma Centre that provides free mental health service, in addition to training and capacity building. The framework offers a guide that incorporates cultural adaption encompasses Afro- Arab cultures in addition gender and political sensitive approach in introducing psychosocial support and promoting resilience and recovery within a specialised community based trauma services.