Staff at the centers were trained by professionals to offer comprehsnive support to those suffering from psychological and emotional difficulties in the wake of the tsunami.

On the second week of November, the Sewalanka Foundation opened Our Home psychosocial well-being support centers in six tsunami-affected districts. The centers provide specialized care and support to individuals, families and communities suffering from emotional, psychological and social difficulties in the wake of the 2004 tsunami.

The tsunami exacted an enormous toll in terms of human life, damage to property, livelihoods and infrastructure. In addition to the physical damage wrought by the catastrophe, the waves left thousands of survivors coping with loss and trauma on an unprecedented scale.

The long-term effect of the tsunami on the mental and social health of survivors is only just beginning to be understood, however it is clear that the suddenness and scale of the disaster left many survivors struggling with profound psychological and social difficulties. In the areas worst affected by the tsunami, a range of issues, including memory loss, depression and suicide, have become common.

By making use of the trained staff and facilities available at the Our Home centers tsunami survivors who continue to suffer mental anguish and trauma will be able to find appropriate care and support, which will eventually allow them to return to leading healthy productive lives.

Sewalanka put intensive thought and preparation into the design and implementation of the project. The centers resemble traditional houses in the areas where they are located and the aesthetic appeal of the homes should help create a genuinely inviting and secure environment for survivors to describe their symptoms and problems. The colour schemes for the homes and the individual pieces of furniture were selected by the psychosocial team to help create a calming and reassuring atmosphere.

In the past, the stigma associated with mental health and psychosocial difficulties has kept sufferers from seeking help. However, the genuinely homey atmosphere that the staff at the centers work to create will, it is hoped, make sufferers feel more at ease and encourage them to seek and continue with treatment

Volunteers at the centres make every effort to make those using the cenrers feel at home.

Trained support staff

As part of the project more than 40 staff were trained by experienced medical professionals to work with individuals suffering from trauma related mental health disorders. “Trained staff will be able to diagnose a range of difficulties and other problems. Through group therapy sessions, games and counselling, they will work to raise the self-esteem and confidence of those using the centers. Ultimately the aim of the centers is to allow sufferers to take control of their lives,” said Mr. Amuthan, Project Manager of Sewalanka’s psychosocial section.

Having lost their homes, livelihoods and families in the disaster many survivors now find themselves isolated and without a clear sense of purpose. Consequently they suffer from a lack of self worth and motivation. The activities at the center focus on providing support and raising self-esteem to motivate those seeking help to overcome their problems and rebuild a sense purpose. They involve interaction and social activities to replace the fear and loneliness that often dominate the lives of tsunami survivors.

In instances where individuals report particularly severe symptoms that require medical attention, staff at the homes are able to refer them to specialists with the appropriate expertise.

Every home is equipped with a small library, a multi-media center — television, DVD player and a computer— a children’s activity room, a befriending room and an outdoor play area. These facilities will encourage those attending the center to spend time there and allow them to engage with a world outside of their own personal problems.

Young people also receive particular attention and the centers aim to help them restore their self-confidence and motivation.

Unlike conventional clinics the Our Home centers are not only for appointments and consultations but are designed to be environments where visitors feel comfortable spending time. The centers are open seven days a week and offer a range of activities such as awareness programmes, social gatherings, celebrating international observances’ days, skill development programmes, career guidance and professional visits to support the communities in a dynamic manner. Making those using the centers perceive the place as a home where they can relax and interact freely with staff, volunteers and others at any time is an integral part of the support.

The homes have now been operational for more than four months and are currently supporting more than 100 people a day, including children and elderly people. Many of the individuals have lost their family members, homes and livelihoods to the disaster, however the homes are not only for those with severe difficulties. Even people who have been able to return to work and lead ostensibly normal lives suffer disturbed sleep, insecurity, panic attacks and a range of other conditions as a result of the trauma they endured three years ago. Our Home centers offer support to those with less visible, more subtle problems.

The centers place special emphasis on the care of children.

Expansion hopes

The Our Home project is a unique initiative. It is the first attempt to provide comprehensive psychosocial care to rural communities across the island and Sewalanka was particularly pleased to be able to open homes simultaneously in the north, south, and east of the island, emphasizing the unity of the island’s communities in the face of the tsunami.

Given the excellent response to the centers thus far, Sewalanka is looking to expand the project to inland areas and to broaden the focus of the homes from tsunami rehabilitation to the treatment of post -conflict disorders and general psychological problems that are an acute and untreated problem in many parts of the country.