 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Dina Y. Nasser, BsN, Mph, Juzoor Foundation for Health and Social Development, 19106, East Jerusalem, Palestine, ++972 2 6566592, juzoor@yahoo.com
A model for integrating mental health, promotion and prevention, within services for the refugee community in UNRWA camps.
The political violence the Palestinian people have been subjected to, has greatly affected their lifestyle. Health personnel, teachers, women, children and men within communities had to deal with a crisis situation they were not equipped to face, neither physically nor mentally. This model of integrating prevention and promotion of mental health at the level of the community was an intervention addressing the social determinants of mental health.
The model of intervention addressed the different service sectors within UNRWA, the health sector, the education sector and the relief and social services sector. The conceptual framework included working with two types of organizations. One such type was organizations that have experience in the area of mental health. These organizations would be responsible for the training of the UNRWA staff from the different sectors and act as incubators for the psychologists and social workers to further enhance their skills and capacity as well as being referral sites for cases that needed individual attention. The other type was organizations that can provide recreational activities at the level of the community utilizing community centers, as well as training for school counselors etc. on how to utilize music and dance in the area of mental health.
This conceptual framework would contribute towards enhancing the mental health environment within the refugee camps and needs more time in order to be able to assess the effects on behavior.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.