Psychosocial Consequences of War

Abstract

Describes the context, objectives, implementation, and some of the results of the public mental health program started in northern Sri Lanka. The public mental health program was started to systematically address the wide spread problem of collective traumatization through community level interventions. Due to work of this program there has been training of community workers and more of a willingness in the public to come for help, while others are able to recognize problems in themselves or others and take appropriate action. The program has also achieved innovations, such as the use of traditional yoga methods, adaptation of local forms of drama, and evolution of Tamil terms for psychosocial words and concepts. Background information is given of Sri Lanka's history and political situation including the continuation of the racial (ethnic) conflict between the Sinhalese and the Tamils. The social-psychological processes that lead to the civil violence such as the decline of the welfare state and religious and cultural mechanisms are explored. The conflict's effects on civilians, general hospital attendees, women, children and adolescents are discussed. Case examples serve to demonstrate these effects. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved). (chapter)