Mental Health Outreach Program (MHOP)
Program in Sri Lanka

Post Tsunami Mental Health Outreach Program in SE Asia

New York, NY:
The terrible earthquake and tsunami on December 2004 that struck 11 countries, from Indonesia to Somalia has had a tremendous impact on the world. After seeing the devastation left by the tsunami on the news, Dr. Kalayjian sent an application to mental health practitioners to volunteer both time and money. Based on her 15 years' experience in post disaster mental health outreach, Dr. Kalayjian realized that psychological aide needed to start immediately after the physical needs were met. This thought was supported by Ambassador Bernard Goonatilleke, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations. The Association for Disaster and Mass Trauma Studies & the Armenian American Society for Studies on Stress and Genocide spearheaded by Dr. Anie Kalayjian organized a Mental Health Outreach Program (MHOP) to Sri Lanka.

MHOP was implemented successfully post 1988 earthquake in Armenia and the 1999 earthquake in Turkey. MHOP expands on the nursing process from its five phases into eight phases. The eight phases of the MHOP include: Preassessment, Assessment, Analysis, Community diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation, and Remodification (Kalayjian, 2003).

The program is designed to address the needs of all those whose lives have been directly or indirectly impacted by the Tsunami, and places emphasis on discussing traumatic memories and experiences, and finding positive meaning in their lives. Special consideration will be given to the impact of religion on coping, culture specific forms of communication, willingness to share feelings with strangers, impact of political upheaval as well as varied views on causality.

Teachers, counselors, paraprofessionals and parents will be trained in the Six-Step Bio-Psychosocial and Spiritual Model. Dr. Kalayjian’s Six-Step Bio-Psychosocial and Spiritual – Model is comprised of the following six steps:

1. Assess levels of distress
2. Encourage discovery of memories & expression of feelings
3. Provide empathy and validation
4. Encourage discovery and expression of positive meaning
5. Provide didactic information
6. Provide instructions for diaphragmatic breathing and physical relief (Safety Science, 2001, 39 pp. 71-81).

MHOP is collaborating with United Sikhs, an NGO based in UK. United Sikhs is securing shelter for the volunteers. Additionally, MHOP is collaborating with Columbia University’s School of Public Health, Center for Disaster Preparedness. The MHOP team will be going to Sri Lanka, Colombo first and then to the fields and the refugee camps. Each team will have 3-5 people. The first team will be leaving on February 9^th and the second team will meet them around February 20^th to receive an orientation and a progress report. The first team comprised of: Drs.Kalayjian, Kuriansky, Hoven, Mandell, Ms. Moore & Shamamian. Subsequent teams will follow this same structure. Each team will work in the field for three weeks.

A research component will be integrated in this outreach. Levels of PTSD, resiliency and physiological symptoms will be explored.

For more information kindly contact Dr. Kalayjian @ 201-941-2266, E-mail: kalayjiana@aol.com