The Need for Trauma Therapy for Victims of Man-Made Trauma Compared to Those of Natural Disaster, a Survey of Health Professionals.

INTRODUCTION

Trauma Aid UK (previously HAP UK & Ireland) conducted three EMDR trainings in Turkey: the first was in Istanbul on 28th November 2013. Since then, 3 groups of mental health trainees attending part 1 of 3 parts EMDR training. In total, 86 clinicians were trained. Also, in June 2016, the first part of a three-part EMDR training in Nepal was completed following the Nepal Earthquake in 2015. The purpose of this study is to assess, analyse and understand the needs of Syrian refugees, who have being experiencing man made trauma since 2011, with Nepalese people who were exposed to the earthquake on 25/4/2015, in their needs for trauma services, training and provision as assessed by mental health professionals working with both groups of people.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A survey was conducted at the beginning of each of the above-mentioned training courses. Participants were asked to consent to participate in the study and, if they did, they were given the 'The Need for Trauma-based Services' quantitative and qualitative questionnaire, or its Arabic translation. 63 Syrian participants of the Istanbul and Gaziantep EMDR training were compared with 37 Nepalese participants who also completed the survey.

RESULTS

The results analysis of these surveys showed significantly higher PTSD prevalence in the man-made trauma of the Syrian conflict compared with the prevalence following the natural Earthquake in Nepal. 52% of the Syrian mental health professionals surveyed suggested that PTSD is the major mental health problem in their country, compared to only 6% of the Nepalese mental health professionals. Both the Syrian (33%) and Nepalese (27%) health professionals surveyed felt that they were only able to meet around a third of their clients' needs. They felt that training in EMDR in their mother-tongue would help increase their meeting of these needs. Other suggestions of service provisions and innovations were made in order to meet more of the needs of their trauma survivors.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlighted a high need for trauma mental health services of the Syrian refugees as reported by mental health professionals working in the neighbouring countries. The important difference of these needs from those of the Nepalese people confirms that man-made trauma can cause much greater mental health disturbance and a higher level of needs. Recommendations for training and service development for Syrian refugees were made.