Psychosocial Project

The psychological impact of conflict and war on communities is often hidden initially.  However, ongoing social problems can lead to despair, depression, stress and anxiety.  Following the Civil War in Somalia, social decline and a breakdown of law and order has left many people feeling helpless.  TASS acknowledged the potential long-term damage this could have caused so began working with the Trans-Cultural Psychosocial Organisation in 2008. This is being carried out in the Mudug region.

Activities in the Psychosocial Support project include:

1. creating a playground for school children to encourage physical fitness
2. referring people with serious mental illness cases to relevant support agencies
3. Community mobilisation, which is aimed at educating people about the psychosocial problems
4. training school teachers on how to identify psychosocial issues in children

Through the psychosocial support programme, TASS confronted psychosocial issues, dealing with many and varied cases of traumatised communities and individuals. In particular, there were the migrant communities-refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) who daily have to face up to situations of want, deprivation and human rights abuses and violations; children facing protection issues like neglect, abuse, discrimination, violence and exploitation; women facing GBV realities at and away from home/family and; youths who have to scale modern-day challenges.  TASS found the majority of psychosocial challenges are direct consequences of years of turmoil and conflict in Somalia.

In 2008, TASS had to deal with IDPs and migrants dealing with stress-related challenges. They were living amidst hostile hosts, had been violently uprooted from their homes, were in need of justice for violations and women had to contend with GBV issues. Individuals suffered fear, anxiety, humiliation and TASS had to prioritise their attention by psychosocial community workers to help them relieve mental stress.  Children from the same IDP and refugee community had been rendered destitute and thrust out of school into child labour against their will. They were vulnerable to abuse while some were recovering from violence-related abuses at home and from the larger community. 

Committee Forums

TASS held workshops across Puntland bringing together representatives of community support structures from both host communities and immigrants (refugees and IDPs).  Participants were exposed to various psychosocial aspects, like what it is, what creates need of/for psychosocial interventions, how to identify and manage cases in need of intervention and what assistance is available- medical and psychosocial to clients.  The committees developed action plans on how to address the psychosocial needs of children in their areas of operation. The community support structures (CSSs) held meetings with communities to raise awareness about children’s rights and privileges. They were made responsible for ensuring children have freedom to play and express themselves.

Community Mobilisation

Apart from mobilising the CSS, CPWs went to communities to inform them on psychosocial needs of individuals. At discussions, they highlighted the rights of vulnerable groups-children, women, refugees and IDPs in particular, and stressed on why their emotional needs had to be assured and ensured.  As in various community mobilisations, TASS representatives discussed community values and the need to refrain from aspects of culture demeaning to family, women and children. Often, the CPWs gained support from opinion leaders, elders and religious leaders to reinforce their campaign messages to the communities.

Preliminary Psychosocial Counselling

The already sensitised CSSs sought out and made referrals of all cases needing special attention or handling by a CPWs. In turn, the CPWs provided pre-counselling to children, youths, women and entire families who have been through traumatic experiences. Special groups like HIV-infected individuals, TB clients and the disabled are also counselled.  In 2008, the TASS CPWs team visited IDP camps in Tawakal, Fiqi Omar and Bulo Elay, Bula bacley, 100 Bush, and organised group counselling for children and victims of psychosocial issues.

Psychosocial Training

Though teachers are naturally trained in psychology, TASS organised refresher training for teachers, religious leaders and community representatives. The teachers who have an almost daily and grassroots contact with school children formed the bedrock of the multiplier-effect of psychosocial capacity building efforts.  Teachers’ proficiency in psychosocial knowledge meant they could efficiently deal with their own challenges and the challenges facing students. CPWs beseech teachers to avoid corporal punishment and humiliation of children.  TASS also enforced a project to construct two child-friendly spaces. CPWs provided the two with recreational materials such as balls and ropes.

Psychosocial Referrals

When need arose, the CPWs made referrals of clients to outlets where they would have their emotional needs addressed accordingly. In particular, women and girls who have suffered abuse, were counselled and referred to hospitals; HIV/Aids and TB-infected were referred to the Mercy TB Centre for case reviews and necessary action-counselling, diagnostic testing and drug therapy as well as nutritional support.