Building Psychosocial Interventions in the Tsunami Aftermath
May 15-18 2005, Singapore
The International Union for Psychological Science (IUPsyS) is holding a 3-day workshop to build collaborations and capacity in psychosocial disaster relief efforts in support of community-based mental health in the aftermath of the tsunami.

What is the focus? Led by experienced trainers in crisis and disaster intervention, the workshop will be a venue for networking and enhancing and facilitating short- and longer term disaster relief activities. There is a focus on needs assessment, public health interventions, services to communities, families and individuals, and effectiveness assessment.

Details

• Dates: Arrival May 15, Departure May 18 evening
  Location: Singapore, Elizabeth Hotel

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WORKSHOP PLAN

Workshop topics
The workshop will cover: (a) strategies for effective needs assessment (b) traumatic stress and disaster psychology (c) development of programs within a public health system. (d) effective goal setting and program evaluation, (e) serving the special needs of children, and (f) ethics and standards.  In addition, technical experts will be available to assist participants in the design or modification of existing or developing programs.

AGENDA

Sunday 15 May 2005

6pm-8pm – Arrival and check-in of workshop participants, resource persons, and facilitators.  Participants are requested to arrive before 8 p.m.
8pm – Dinner and introductions. Informal discussions.

Monday 16 May 2005

7am – 8am: Breakfast

8am – 10am: Part 1 :  Introduction and review of workshop plan.

Participant Presentations and Discussion: the psychological impact of the December 26 tsunami.

10am – noon: Part 2 :  Disaster Mental Health 

Introduction to Disaster Mental Health and related forms of psychological support. Discussion of large scale events. 

12 noon – 1pm: Lunch

1pm – 3pm: Disaster Mental Health, continued 

3pm – 5pm: Ethics issues in disaster mental health

Review of international standards for psychological support in humanitarian assistance 

5pm – 6pm: Tea break

6pm – 8pm: Informal sessions and discussion, availability of technical experts for consultation.

8pm:   Dinner, and discussions

Tuesday 17 May 2005

7am – 8am: Breakfast

8am – 12noon: Part 3:  Assessment of Needs

Presentation on assessment strategies, including WHO instruments developed or being developed for this purpose.  Discussion of how assessment of needs informs program design. 

12 noon – 2pm: Lunch

2pm – 5pm: Part 4 - Implementation of programs

Implementation of programs within a public health system; working within a government system to develop a scientifically valid program of psychological support. Discussion and review of possible hurdles, obstacles that may be faced in implementation, as well as strategies for overcoming the hurdles.

5pm – 6pm: Tea break

6pm – 8pm: Informal sessions, availability of technical experts for consultation

Preliminary planning by different representative countries of viable intervention action plans and research designs on return to own countries

8pm: Dinner, and informal discussions.

Wednesday 18 May 2005

7am – 8 am: Breakfast

8am – 12noon: Part 5:  Serving the psychological support needs of children in the aftermath of disaster.

This will include some of the unique reactions of children as well as strategies for designing interventions that serve children’s needs.

12noon – 2pm: Lunch

2pm- 5pm: Presentation of program plans and ideas by participants.

5pm – 6pm: Tea, farewell

Note: All participants in the workshop, including country representatives, subject matter experts, and organizer/facilitators will be resident at the same venue for the duration of the workshop, and will have meals together. This will increase the opportunities and occasions for informal discussions, which will in turn enrich the quality and content of the formal workshop discussions.  All participants should check in by 8 pm on May 15, and plan to leave only after 5pm on May 18