Two Psychosocial Assistance Approaches for Iraqi Urban Refugees in Jordan and Lebanon: Center-Based Services Compared to Community Outreach Services

Takamol

“…However, supplemented by research conducted in the region, there is a clear indication that the context within the country results in numerous psychosocial stress factors. Studies on refugees in Syria indicate that families remain isolated, as primary social networks were lost in displacement (Le Roch, et al, 2010;Ventevogel, 2008). Family members, particularly youth and women, spend much of the day inside their homes, compounding their sense of isolation and grief, and reducing their ability to locate and develop sources of social support (Gilbert, 2009).…”

“…Both men and adolescents express feeling 'not useful in society' (Jayawickrama & Gilbert, 2008). The insidious shift in family structure occurring as a result of displacement, and the inaccessibility of work for men is causing fundamental role changes, resulting in a steep rise in domestic violence among refugee households (Le Roch, et al, 2010). Anxiety and depression are the two most prevalent psychological symptom clusters experienced, with estimates ranging from 42% among samples of Iraqi refugees (Duncan, Schiesher & Khalil, 2007) to above 80% (UNHCR, CDC, 2007).…”

“…Anxiety and depression are the two most prevalent psychological symptom clusters experienced, with estimates ranging from 42% among samples of Iraqi refugees (Duncan, Schiesher & Khalil, 2007) to above 80% (UNHCR, CDC, 2007). Symptoms reported to psychologists include speci¢c phobias, nervousness and anxiety in adults, and aggressiveness and withdrawal in children (Le Roch, et al,2010), with girls tending to be more isolated and withdrawn, and boys tending towards disruptive and aggressive behaviour (Tsovili, Coutts & Quosh, 2010). Gender di¡erences among adults are also Takamol: multi-professional capacity building in order to strengthen the psychosocial and mental health sector in response to refugee crises, Intervention 2011, Volume 9, Number 3, commonly found, with women evidencing signi¢cantly higher rates of a¡ective disorders (WHO, 2009;Duncan et al, 2007) and middle-aged and older men trending towards higher rates of anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (WHO,2009).…”

“…In the realm of PSS MH, reliance on specialist care, particularly in the developing world, is inadequate. Across the reviewed studies (Le Roch, et al, 2010;Gilbert, 2009;WHO, 2009;IOM, 2008;Ventevogel, 2008;Duncan et al,2007), conducted in Syria and regionally, the primary recommended responses were strengthening the national healthcare system and enhancing its ability to respond to the needs of both the refugee and local populations through extensive capacity building. With capacity building we mean more that improving resources such as knowledge, skills and competencies of individual trainees within a system or institution, but we also indicate facilitating relationships between institutions and sectors, and fostering multi-professional teamwork and advocacy.…”

“…Many refugees had arrived expecting a temporary stay, but ¢nd themselves in ' protracted stasis', without the ability to make future plans. As ¢nancial di⁄culties have worsened, assistance has waned and treatment needs go unattended, it is expected that social, health and psychological problems will escalate (Le Roch et al, 2010). Therefore, while the situation in Syria can no longer be considered an acute crisis, it is certainly a complex emergency 2 that has developed into a protracted refugee situation.…”