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Gaza Community Mental Health Program
P.O.B. 1049
Gaza City, Palestinian Authority
Tel: 07-865949;
Fax: 07-824072
Web: http://www.gcmhp.net
E-mail: gcmhp@baraka.org
Director: Dr. Eyad Sarraj
The Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP) is a Palestinian,
non-governmental, non-profit institution specializing in mental health
concerns. It is one of the leading mental health organizations in Palestine.
Palestine, and especially the Gaza Strip, is in dire need of mental health care
facilities. The continuing effects of the occupation, fear, insecurity,
humiliation, poverty, and instability in the region compound the prevailing
stressful atmosphere. These affect the mental health of the majority of the
Palestinians.
The large-scale presence of mental health concerns is compounded by the absence
of adequate specialized services. This dearth of services led to the
establishment of the GCMHP in 1990. Since then, approximately 10,000 clients
have been treated. In addition, the Program has developed activities to cope
with other important psychosocial issues.
GCMHP aims to be a comprehensive, community-based, mental health program. There
are different specialized departments covering different aspects of work. GCMHP
clinics in Gaza, Khan Younis, and Jabalya extend their services to all sectors
of society emphasizing on women, children, drug abusers, victims of human rights
violations, as well as dealing with different psychiatric disorders.
THERAPY
GCMHP now concentrates its activities on three groups that continue to be
particularly vulnerable, namely traumatized children, former political
prisoners, and women affected by violence.
Our work with children in Gaza (90% of whom suffered at least one form of
trauma) involves visiting kindergartens, training teachers, and involving the
family, especially mothers in the therapeutic process. Play therapy is used in
all our centers, where a child is free to express him or herself while the
mother observes from behind a one way mirror. We have found this method
extremely useful for both child and mother.
During the years of the Intifada, over 100,000 Palestinians were detained or
imprisoned by the Israelis. According to our research, 30% of them suffer from
PTSD, which resulted in various social and psychological problems. This group
of people finds it difficult to recognize their problems. They also suffer from
the stigma attached to mental illness. In our efforts to help them, we now work
with ordinary groups throughout the community, which include people exposed to
torture.
From our experience, we found that group therapy and group meetings are the best
way of avoiding the stigma attached to mental illness. Currently, we are
applying this method.
Women are particularly vulnerable and are exposed to different forms of violence
in our society. Many women are also detained and tortured. We have a special
project for the rehabilitation and empowerment of women, where they are trained
in leadership, literacy, counseling, public hygiene, legal rights, and in a
variety of vocational skills. We hope that each graduate of the Women
Empowerment Project, with our support and supervision, will use these skills to
start her own community group.
A number of other auxiliary services are maintained, such as the
Electroencephalograph (EEG), the pharmacy, and a analysis service for drug
addicts to estimate the level of drugs in the bloodstream. GCMHP aims to work
with families in order to ensure the coherence of the therapeutic service.
Social workers at the Program undertake family counseling and make visits to
clients.
GCMHP aims to raise public awareness concerning mental health issues through
lectures, public meetings, leaflets, and articles.
TRAINING
GCMHP aims to raise the scientific knowledge and practical skills of its staff
by hosting experts from different countries to train the staff and evaluate
their work. The Program provides out-service training for people working in
mental health-related fields, especially people working in education and social
work, to raise their awareness about mental health issues. This is done through
courses, workshops, seminars, lectures, and study days.
One of GCMHP's priorities is to establish a school of mental health sciences,
which would train professionals in mental health sciences and give them academic
as well as practical knowledge.
Currently, and for the first time in Palestine and the region, a two-year
Post-Graduate Diploma in Community Mental Health is now being offered in
coordination with the Islamic University of Gaza and with the participation of
seven international universities.
RESEARCH AND DOCUMENTATION
The Research center in the GCMHP has conducted a number of research projects
regarding the size and distribution of mental illness in Gaza, and the effects
of different types of trauma and violence on the mental health of Palestinian
children and families. A number of research papers have been published in
international journals.
In 1995, the Gaza Video Center began work in the hope of bringing about a
professional educational and documentary media service. The center has produced
numerous documentaries about Gaza, the GCMHP, children, violence against women,
and rehabilitating survivors of human rights violations. This has proven to be
a powerful tool in public education.
CONFERENCES
In 1993, GCMHP held the first ever international conference in Gaza, with the
plan of holding such an event every two years. Since 1993, the Program has
organized three international conferences, which were excellent opportunities
for local and international experts to meet and exchange information and
research on mental health issues.
ADMINISTRATION
GCMHP has a Board of Directors, which overlooks the activities of the Program
and sets general policy. The Director and the department heads run the
Program's daily affairs.
GCMHP receives donations from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and
governmental agencies from different countries. The clients pay minimal fees
for therapy and medication. Cases that cannot afford the fees are totally
exempt.
"The army that will defeat terrorism doesn't wear uniforms, or drive
Humvees, or calls in air-strikes. It doesn't have a high command, or
high security, or a high budget. The army that can defeat terrorism
does battle quietly, clearing minefields and vaccinating children. It
undermines military dictatorships and military lobbyists. It subverts
sweatshops and special interests.Where people feel powerless, it
helps them organize for change, and where people are powerful, it
reminds them of their responsibility." ~~~~ Author Unknown ~~~~
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