Assistance is also available to members of peacekeeping forces and relief agencies struggling with the stress of dealing with disaster sites. An added benefit is the invaluable investment in the future health services of the region. Continued training and consultation will occur with support from CBI, AHP, and other professional health organizations wishing to cooperate with us on this project. During this time an assessment is made of currently available mental health services with the intent of offering suggestions for developing essential components and networking with other outside organizations and resources to support their development. Local psychologists, counselors, social workers, medical professionals, and relief workers in the Balkans working directly with refugees and victims of violence.
Priority is given to workers in positions to model and teach skills to others.
This training of trainers involves key individuals identified and screened by local NGO organizations in cooperation with the project team. Expert teams of specially trained mental health professionals in the field of trauma treatment and crisis intervention from the USA and other countries. An orientation to the cultural and ethnic context of trainees and victims is provided to ensure a sensitivity to these issues. The project is designed to address both immediate and long term treatment needs and establish close, ongoing relationships with local aid organizations. In the aftermath of overwhelming human catastrophe in the Balkans, most recently in Kosovo and Serbia, there are countless individual tragedies and broken souls that continue unheard, untreated, and unhealed.