On June 12, 2024, a crucial training session on the mental health of Haitian students was organized at Collège Le Bon Haïtien, located on rue Capois, Behind Government. Facing the current socio-economic and political crisis, this session aimed to raise awareness among students about the importance of their mental health and provide them with tools to better manage the emotional and psychological challenges they encounter.
The participants, aged 12 to 22 years old, are attentive and engaged, reflecting the importance given to this crucial subject in a context of national crisis.
Participants
All participants were in the age range of 12 to 22 years old. They were numerous, although the exact number was not determined. The situations that condition their vulnerability are varied, including economic precarity, widespread insecurity, emotional vulnerability, difficulty adapting, and concentration problems.
Context and Objectives
The event took place on June 12, 2024. Taking into account the current situation of the country and the lifestyle of Haitian students, the subject presented was: "The mental health of Haitian students facing the country's socio-economic and political crisis." This initiative aimed to help participants consider their mental health.
Group photo of participants and organizers, marking the end of an enriching day of discussion and exchange.
Activity Proceedings
The session lasted one hour and 45 minutes. The major topics discussed during the training were:
- Health from a general perspective
- Definition of mental health
- Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
- Lovell's dual continuum model of mental health
- Psychosomatic and somatopsychic relationship
- Mental health problem versus mental disorder/illness
- Stress, anxiety, depression
- The socio-economic and political crisis and its consequences on mental health
Activity Location
The activity took place at Collège Le Bon Haïtien located on rue Capois, Behind Government.
Implementation and Feedback
This activity was made possible thanks to a member of the administrative staff of the school. To organize this training, we proposed a date, defined the subject to be addressed, and the duration of the training. The participants greatly appreciated the training, and the staff members, particularly the academic principal, left the door open for any other opportunity.
Impact and Relevance
This activity will have a positive impact on the overall understanding of the school's students concerning their mental health in the context of the multidimensional crisis facing the country. Given the situation in which our Haitian students find themselves, this subject will allow them to develop strategies to cope with this crisis.
This activity will contribute to advancing ACCES-Santé's mission in the community by promoting mental health and preventing certain mental health problems. It will also create a closer relationship between the clinic and the institution, and contribute to the clinic's visibility.
