Post-earthquake Stress Reduction |
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Post-earthquake Stress Reduction ProgramsAlly Program for the Leogane Women's Group and Haiti Lab Duke Student Research ProgramNine months later, there are still lots of people living in tent cities who don’t have clean water, food and health care – which of course adds to their stress. And there is a lot of stigma associated with mental health issues in Haiti.” ~ Kathy Walmer, FHM's Executive Director, September 2010. FHM works with Duke faculty and students to design programs that are culturally appropriate to best to help people who are still impacted emotionally and psychologically by the January earthquake. Ally ProgramIn July 2010, Dr. Benjamin Reese, PsyD and Dr. Cynthia Frazier, Phd, both Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder ("PTSD") experts, met with healthcare leaders and Family Health Ministries' Women's Group in Leogane to get their ideas on the needs and possible solutions to treat the stress, depression and anxiety exacerbated by the January 2010 earthquake. In late September 2010, Reese and Frazier returned to Haiti with FHM's Research Director, Nicole Tinfo, to present "Ally Training" to women who have agreed to act as support for others in the community. They were joined by two FHM employees in Haiti, Denis Oswald and Annaus Franckel, who were translators and coaches for the group. On the first day of three days of training, a group of nineteen women received stress management training. They had previously been identified by their interest and test scores (see Research Component below). On the second and third days, thirty-four more Women's Group members, nineteen each day, participated in coaching sessions on how to help others, how to be "allies" for friends and families in need. The women met at Yoleine Gateau's gazebo, adjacent to Family Health Ministries' property in Leogane. The topics included:
During the same week, an FHM medical mission team in Leogane referred two stressed women to the Women's Group. By the end of the week, the Women's Group had met with 8 women. (updated 14 October 2010). In February 2011, Ben and Cindy returned to Haiti to meet with the Allies to learn about how the Ally Program was received, and how it was progressing. Research ComponentIn early 2010, FHM assessed 50 women using a modified civilian post-traumatic stress checklist with 17 items that gauge various symptoms associated with this condition, creating a numeric assessment of PTSD. Questions were modified slightly for cultural reasons. The tool gave each woman a PTSD score. Then the women were divided into three groups (mild, moderate, and severe stress). Those with severe symptoms have been referred to local health care providers for follow up. The remaining two groups will participate in the day-long Allies Workshop. In approximately 90 days, the workshop participants will attend a two hour follow-up session designed to discuss obstacles and success as well as strategies for handling the challenges. Trainers will be assessing whether the women used the skills gained in the workshop. They will also gather anecdotal evidence from the women on their reception as "allies" and their perception of their own effectiveness. "Haiti Lab" Student Research Program 2010Eleven students from Duke University are participating in the inaugural "Haiti Lab" where completed independent study projects stemming from multiple disciplines. One of these projects involved gathering quantitative data on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder incidence, with interviews to discover the cultural aspects of shock, grief, distress, and/or trauma in both pre and post-earthquake situations. Kathy Walmer, FHM's executive director collaborated with Deborah Jensen and research staff at FHM to guide students engaged in this study during Duke's fall break.
(Duke faculty member Deborah Jenson interviewing a woman from Ti Gwav) October Fall Break Trip to HaitiParticipants of the Duke University Haiti Lab returned from a four day Fall Break trip to Haiti led by Family Health Ministries. The team of four undergraduate students, Kendra Hinton, Anne McDvonough, Nadine Michel, Jennifer Denike and three Duke Faculty members, Jacques Pierre, Deborah Jensen, and FHM Executive Director Kathy Walmer visited FHM's communities. The students interviewed Haitians using their Creole skills to learn firsthand the experiences of the January 12th earthquake. The stories were powerful and confirmed reports of the significant trauma Haiti has endured. Throughout 2011, Family Health Ministries in conjunction with the Haiti Lab project, will address the issue of trauma and develop programs to support women and their families. Dr. Deborah Jensen provides details of the 2010 trip: We returned from Haiti yesterday evening, where Kathy Walmer and her FHM colleague Missy had set up a remarkably varied and intensive visit for us and the students. Although our stay was less than five days, it feels as though a disproportionate amount of experience was fit into that span of time. |
