On March 24, 2024, the mental health department of CUAS organized a conference at the Evangelical Church of Haiti in Limbé, intended for the youth of this community. The session, titled "Youth mental health in light of the country's current situation," aimed to raise awareness among participants about the impacts of the socio-economic and political crisis on their mental well-being.
Participants listen attentively to explanations about the impacts of the crisis on their mental health.
Context and Target Audience
Participants, aged 14 to 45, gathered despite challenges related to widespread insecurity, political instability, and economic precarity. The lack of punctuality made precise counting of participants difficult, but participation was significant. The youth of this community are particularly vulnerable to these challenges, which fully justifies the importance of this conference.
Diversity of participants, ages 14 to 45, present at the conference.
Conference Overview
The session lasted two hours and covered several essential points:
- Contextualization of the current situation in Haiti.
- Definition of general health and mental health.
- Conditions necessary to be in good health, according to Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
- Psychosomatic and somatopsychic impact of the crisis on youth.
- Potential psychological disorders arising from the crisis (post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, etc.).
- Differences between psychological disorders and psychological problems.
- Stress management techniques during times of crisis.
- Importance of the social environment in times of crisis.
- Question-and-answer session and interactive discussions.
Activity Location
The event was held at the Evangelical Church of Haiti in Limbé, located on Cemetery Street, in downtown Limbé. This church, well-established in the community, provided an appropriate setting for open and informative discussion on mental health.
Organization and Participant Engagement
The activity was made possible through professional relationships established with one of the church's youth leaders. An initial in-person meeting was followed by several telephone calls to plan the event details. Participants showed great interest in the initiative and expressed their appreciation. In response to their enthusiasm, another training session intended for the entire congregation is planned.
Importance and Impact of the Initiative
The conference addressed the impact of the crisis on youth mental health, a critical issue in Haiti's current context. The young people of this community need moral and emotional support, as well as coping strategies to face daily challenges. This session improved their understanding of how their psyche functions and raised awareness about the consequences of the current situation on their mental health. Furthermore, it provided them with tools to overcome these challenges.
Next Steps
This activity strengthened CUAS's mission in the community by improving mental health service offerings and supporting people living with psychological trauma and psychological problems. It also helped establish closer relationships with the institution, thereby promoting health and increasing the clinic's visibility.
The next step is to organize another training session in a broader setting, including the entire congregation, in order to continue raising awareness and supporting the community in facing mental health challenges.
