Provides training for relief, community, and primary health care workers as well as primary school teachers and others who provide support to refugees and displaced persons fleeing war or disaster. According to the manual, which was developed by the World Health Organization and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, these refugees should not be viewed as helpless people, but rather as individuals determined to survive. Social workers and others are encouraged to build upon this positive factor. The principal topics covered by the training manual are: (1) becoming an effective helper; (2) recognizing and helping people with high levels of stress; (3) recognizing serious psychological or psychiatric disorders; (4) identifying depression, other mental disorders caused by frightening events and violence, and emotional disturbances associated with fear, worry, or sleep deprivation; (5) helping refugee children by attending to their mental health and social and educational needs; (6) building cooperation with legitimate practitioners of traditional medicine; (7) dealing with alcohol and drug abuse; (8) helping victims of torture, rape, and other violence; and (9) organizing services that promote the mental health and well-being of refugees.
