Perceptions about implementation of a Narrative Community-based Group Therapy for Afro-Colombians victims of Violence

Osorio-Cuellar, Gisel Viviana; Pacichana-Quinayáz, Sara Gabriela; Bonilla-Escobar, Francisco J.; Fandiño-Losada, Andrés; Gutiérrez-Martínez, María Isabel

doi:10.1590/1413-81232017229.00402016

Cited by 11 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Further, some communities require community interventions that consider their cultural characteristics and their coping mechanisms (Bonilla-Escobar et al, 2017). In particular, post-conflict contexts require professionals who are prepared to work with culturally diverse populations, recognizing the victim's multiple local knowledges and cultural practices, and offering an empathetic and rigorous service (Osorio-Cuellar et al, 2017). These mental health needs pose challenges for psychology education and psychology training programs in higher education.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social Impact of a Transformative Service-Learning Experience in a Post-conflict Setting

2020

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In the context of the 2016 Peace Agreement signed between the Colombian government and the FARC-EP (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo), several challenges for society and academia have emerged: (1) overcoming the gap between the rural and urban settings, which has been one of the roots of the Colombian armed conflict, and (2) training psychologists and transforming traditional educational practices, which have not been designed to fulfill community needs in a post-conflict setting. One of the strategies from academia to overcome these difficulties is to create alliances with rural communities where students learn key competences to foster a horizontal approach while actively working with the community. In the region of Caquetá, Colombia, two Territorial Spaces for Training and Reincorporation (ETCR) were created in order to provide a space for former guerrilla members' reintegration to civil society. In the ETCR Héctor Ramírez, 27 students and two faculty participated in a service-learning project (2 weeks in December 2018 and two in June 2019) where they engaged in local daily practices and social projects based on the community's prioritized needs. The aim of this study was to analyze the learning process of undergraduate psychology students in this community psychology service-learning project in the context of peacebuilding in Colombia. This study is grounded in a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach and data collected include reflective narratives and video diaries by students before and during the course, and two focus groups after the experience. Findings suggest that students who participated in the experience are in the process of developing cultural humility, through affective understandings and the consolidation of communities of practice that include the former guerrilla members and their knowledges. Preparing psychologists to lead peacebuilding and reconciliation processes is of importance to the field because the professional competencies gained in this context surpass the professional practice as they become part of the students' abilities as citizens. The social impact is twofold: the students learn to create partnerships where purposes are co-constructed and trust-based, while the community takes the lead of their processes creating alliances with an academia that recognizes their knowledge and practices.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social Impact of a Transformative Service-Learning Experience in a Post-conflict Setting

2020

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“…This decision was based on the differences between the interventions including their standpoints, aims, and methodologies. [8, 9] The CISALVA Institute of Universidad del Valle, Colombia, led these processes with the technical support by faculty at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The aim of the study described in this paper was to evaluate the effectiveness of CETA in Afro-Colombians survivors of violence.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A randomized controlled trial of a transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral intervention for Afro-descendants’ survivors of systemic violence in Colombia

et al. 2018

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BackgroundExposure to violence has negative consequences on mental health. Armed-conflict in Colombia has widely affected Afro-descendants in the Pacific region. Evidence regarding effectiveness of mental health interventions is lacking in low-income settings, especially in areas with active conflict. The objective of this study is to evaluate an individualized Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA), a transdiagnostic psychotherapy model based on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, for adult trauma survivors.Methods and findingsA referred sample of 521 adult Afro-descendants from Buenaventura and Quibdó, Colombia, experiencing significant sadness, suffering or fear (score>0.77 in Total Mental Health Symptoms), with history of traumatic experiences, and with associated functional impairment were randomly allocated to CETA intervention, standby group without intervention, but under monthly monitoring, or a Narrative Community-Based Group Therapy. CETA was provided by trained Lay Psychosocial Community Workers without previous mental health experience, supervised by psychologists, during 12–14 weekly, 1.5-hour sessions. Symptoms were assessed with a locally validated survey built based on the Hopkins Symptom Checklist, the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, the PTSD CheckList–Civilian Version, a qualitative study for additional general symptoms and a gender-specific functional impairment scale. CETA was compared with the control group and the intervention effects were calculated with mixed models using intention to treat analysis. Participant completion of follow-up was 75.1% and 13.2% voluntarily withdrew. Reduction in post-traumatic stress symptoms was significant in both municipalities when comparing intervention and control groups (mean difference), with a with a moderate effect size in Buenaventura (Cohen's d = 0.70) and a small effect size in Quibdó (d = 0.31). In Buenaventura, the intervention also had significant effects on depression (large effect size d = 1.03), anxiety (large effect size d = 0.80) and functional impairment (moderate effect size d = 0.70). In Quibdó, it had no significant effect on these outcomes. Changes in Total Mental Health Symptoms were not significant in neither city.ConclusionsThis trial suggests that CETA, can be effective in improving depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress and function among victims of systematized violence in low-income and active conflict settings. Nonetheless, the difference of effectiveness between the two cities of intervention may indicate that we cannot assume that a mental health intervention known to be effective in one setting will be effective in another, even in similar circumstances and population. This may have special importance when implementing and reproducing these types of intervention in non-controlled circumstances. Further research should address these concerns. Results can be of use by governmental decision-makers when defining mental health programs for survivors.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01856673 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/...

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“…In late 2020, as part of a larger research study, Heartland Alliance International (HAI) and Universidad de los Andes piloted an adapted community-based psychosocial support group model for conflict survivors in Quibdo, Colombia using in-person, remote, and hybrid modalities. Originally developed in 2010 as part of the Alianza Con Organizaciones Por lo Emocional (ACOPLE) project by HAI, Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the National Association of Displaced Afro-Colombians (AFRODES), and CISALVA Institute of Universidad del Valle [ 28 , 29 ], this model evolved over time to remain responsive to participant needs, ultimately incorporating enhanced collective problem-solving components and culturally-specific expressive elements such as dance and artwork. The program is facilitated by non-specialist community members (Community Psychosocial Agents, CPAs) who are trained and supervised by mental health professionals.…”

Section: Equity In Implementation Of Mhpss: Challenges and Strategies...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Ensuring equity in mental health and psychosocial support during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond

Armijos¹,

Bonz²,

Brown

et al. 2023

Confl Health

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Populations affected by armed conflict and other humanitarian crises are at elevated risk for mental health problems. While the COVID-19 pandemic has had broadly deleterious effects on livelihoods, economic well-being, and population health worldwide, vulnerable groups have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Providing mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services during these times to vulnerable groups, especially in low- and middle-income countries and humanitarian settings, is essential. In an effort to comply with the public health response to the pandemic and mitigate COVID-19 transmission, significant implementation adaptations were made to service delivery during the pandemic. This short report describes several strategies to ensure that equity was central to these adaptations and public health responses, and provides recommendations for ensuring continuity of this progress post-pandemic. Examples and key lessons learned are given related to strategies to increase access to MHPSS services, improve meaningful stakeholder engagement, develop and support community networks, and implement community-based psychosocial support groups. They come from diverse settings of Bangladesh, Colombia, Ecuador, and Lebanon. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of preventing and treating MHPSS issues. It also has created opportunities for innovative programming to address overlooked problems, improve the quality of services provided, and increase focus on equity. It is vital that we use the momentum and attention generated around MHPSS services during the COVID-19 pandemic to continue to build and improve existing MHPSS services in more equitable ways for vulnerable populations.

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Perceptions about implementation of a Narrative Community-based Group Therapy for Afro-Colombians victims of Violence

Abstract: Resumo Dado o contexto e os números das víti-mas de conflitos armado na costa do Pacífico da

Cited by 11 publications

References 8 publications

Social Impact of a Transformative Service-Learning Experience in a Post-conflict Setting

Social Impact of a Transformative Service-Learning Experience in a Post-conflict Setting

A randomized controlled trial of a transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral intervention for Afro-descendants’ survivors of systemic violence in Colombia

Ensuring equity in mental health and psychosocial support during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond

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