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Psychosocial Support for the Children Affected by Communal Violence in Gujarat, India
Author(s) -
Bhadra Subhasis
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal of applied psychoanalytic studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.314
H-Index - 15
eISSN - 1556-9187
pISSN - 1742-3341
DOI - 10.1002/aps.1327
Subject(s) - psychosocial , feeling , psychosocial support , rehabilitation , social support , psychology , social psychology , psychotherapist , neuroscience
This article explores the various psychosocial problems that children and adolescents experienced due to communal violence in the Indian state of Gujarat in 2002. Five strategies were adapted to provide support and care to the children and adolescents in the relief camps as well as in the community during the rehabilitation phase. Community volunteers were used in the program to facilitate psychosocial healing by using different mediums of expression. Each medium encouraged the expression of thoughts and feelings caused by the trauma and the building of hope for the future. Various community‐oriented peace‐building measures, which are explained and outlined, were adapted to build trusting inter‐community relationships. The peace‐building measures focused on rebuilding a nurturing environment by re‐establishing community networks and social support systems. Life skills education was one of the approaches adopted for fostering psychosocial development among the children in order to restore peaceful cohabitation for a future based on mutual respect and acceptance. Ultimately, in disaster rehabilitation, rebuilding one's “sense of place” through holistic psychosocial support has been highlighted as a model for practice. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.