Psychosocial support makes an important difference for survivors and local communities

As the World Health Organization WHO states, there is no health without mental health.

This is why DIGNITY works with partner organizations around the world to ensure access to mental health for survivors affected by violence, war, flight, and torture.  

In Jordan, for example, we work with local psychologists and physiotherapists who treat survivors of torture, violence, and war, and in Kenya we work with local health workers who provide psychosocial support in communities affected by adversity where access to mental health is limited, and violence is widespread. 

»Through our work with partners we often train local health workers because it ensures that our efforts are sustainable, « says Gitte Rønde, psychologist at DIGNITY, who is responsible for training our partners and local health workers in psychological first aid and low-level psychological interventions.

»Violence and mental health is often also associated with high levels of stigma, and this can make it difficult for survivors to seek help. Therefore, it is important that we work to reduce the stigma around violence and mental health, while at the same time increasing access to mental health and psychosocial support for people exposed to violence and torture. «

Here you can meet some of the people DIGNITY works with and those who know that metal health and psychosocial support makes a world of difference.