1. Mind-Spring © P. Sterk, B. Kieft 2002-2010 1 www.mind-spring.org our sponsors our sponsors “Mind-Spring”2010Athens Eefje Smet Barbara Kieft A psycho-education program by and for refugees and asylumseekers

2. Mind-Spring © P. Sterk, B. Kieft 2002-2010 2 Mind-Spring a preventive intervention Psycho-education, psychosocial and parenting support for refugees and asylum seekers in their own language and culture Psycho-education, psychosocial and parenting support for refugees and asylum seekers in their own language and culture Carried out by a trainer with a refugee background and a professional from within the mental health care system Carried out by a trainer with a refugee background and a professional from within the mental health care system The cooperation with trainers from within the (refugee) community is comparable to MSF counseling programs in Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka etc. The cooperation with trainers from within the (refugee) community is comparable to MSF counseling programs in Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka etc.

3. Mind-Spring © P. Sterk, B. Kieft 2002-2010 3 Content psycho-education Mind-Spring Information (psycho-education) On subjects as: - stress, trauma, depression, feelings of guilt, changed identity, acculturation, - Mental health care in the Netherlands

4. Mind-Spring © P. Sterk, B. Kieft 2002-2010 4 Content psycho-education Mind-Spring - Sharing of experiences, but also sharing feelings of sorrow, anger and frustration - Coping with problems and their consequences - Rediscovering one’s own strengths and defining areas of control, positive self (identity) - Learning to be responsible for one’s own well- being.

5. Mind-Spring © P. Sterk, B. Kieft 2002-2010 5 Content psycho-education Mind-Spring Signaling - When necessary, participants can be referred to professional help by the trainers - Participants learn how to recognise their own problems and how to ask for further help

6. Mind-Spring © P. Sterk, B. Kieft 2002-2010 6 “Results”

7. 7 Appreciated by participants - Former and newly acquired identity (self-image and possibilities) - Feeling more secure in Dutch culture - Coping with daily hassles, complaints - Normal reaction to abnormal situations, trauma, grief, depression, stress ?? ? ? Interactions with fellow participants - Discussions in own language /culture/ religion - Sharing experiences and coping strategies with fellow asylum seekers /refugees Exercise “What is important?” “How much control do you have?” “What area do you put most energy in?” “What area is within your control?” Subjects More feelings of control than before - “Damage control” for the time being (asylum seekers centre) Effects of trainer and co-trainer - Being heard - Positive attitude, remodelling of trainer

8. Mind-Spring © P. Sterk, B. Kieft 2002-2010 8 “I experienced the training as being a personal support, I learnt a lot.” “I consider the subjects in the training as very relevant to the situation that I am in right now.” “I notice I do not get as agitated as I did before the course. Whenever someone got angry at me, I reacted furious. I do not do this anymore and also have less problem sleeping.” “ We now have become our own doctors”. “Mind-Spring is like a community” (facilitates trust and recognition) “It helped me to learn that I am not the only one having problems.” “I now have more understanding of mental problems.” Some quotes from participants Effects of Mind-Spring program

9. Mind-Spring © P. Sterk, B. Kieft 2002-2010 9 www.mind-spring.org

10. 10 Spin off’s for the Mind-Spring trainers Refugees Refugees –Useful work experience, chance of proving qualities –Internship for studies (social work/psychology) –Practicing Dutch language in field of profession –Integration –Helpful for own personal problems Asylum seekers Asylum seekers –Meaningful spending of time –Improved self-esteem –Work experience, to be used either in the Netherlands or back at the country of origin –Helpful for own personal problems

11. Mind-Spring © P. Sterk, B. Kieft 2002-2010 11 Starting a Mind-Spring program Training high-educated refugees Embedding program in mental health care (cooperation Mind-Spring trainer, mental health care worker) Networking within refugee communities, or organizations who work with refugees Supervision trainers/workers

12. Mind-Spring © P. Sterk, B. Kieft 2002-2010 12 Training of trainers Recruiting refugees (preferably highly educated, background/affinity helping others, motivated for psychosocial work) Materials (reader for trainers) Minimal 8 full days of training by mental health care professionals who know the Mind-Spring methodology Practice of two trainings

13. Mind-Spring © P. Sterk, B. Kieft 2002-2010 13 Embedding program mental health (1) Defining responsible ‘umbrella’ organization (i.e. Red Cross) Ensure finances for Mind-Spring training (compare Dutch sit. Health ensurance or community funding) Locate qualified professionals (psychologists, psyhiatric nurses, preferably with experience helping refugees)

14. Mind-Spring © P. Sterk, B. Kieft 2002-2010 14 Embedding mental health care(2) Training of professionals in Mind- Spring methodology Locate refugee group for Mind-Spring training (see also next slide) Matching of refugee training (language, culture of Mind-Spring group) with professional

15. Mind-Spring © P. Sterk, B. Kieft 2002-2010 15 Networking within refugee communities Use contacts of refugee trainer or others (key-figures) who know the refugee communities to inform and recruite participants Be open to needs that specific communities may have in regard to content of training, but also time of training, location etc.

16. Mind-Spring © P. Sterk, B. Kieft 2002-2010 16 Recruitment, forming of groups In cooperation with asylum seekers centre authorities or medical staff In cooperation with refugee organizations, through community networking Active role of refugee trainer is important factor for success

17. Mind-Spring © P. Sterk, B. Kieft 2002-2010 17 Supervision trainers/workers The first training executed by Mind- Spring trainers needs to ‘mentored’ by mental health care professional (unless MS trainer is also mental health care prof.), since this functions as an internship following the Training of trainers Overall supervision/intervision is suggested to improve trainers’ qualities and discuss difficulties or emotions

18. Mind-Spring © P. Sterk, B. Kieft 2002-2010 18 Identity What roles did you have in country of origin? Who are you now / what roles do you have now? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

19. Mind-Spring © P. Sterk, B. Kieft 2002-2010 19 Identity en changed identity Exercise from the handbook

20. Mind-Spring © P. Sterk, B. Kieft 2002-2010 20 Self identity at asylum-seeker center Self identity in country of origin New self identity in the future