160 Sessions of Free Mental Health Support

Wings of hope (BIH) has a long history of helping children and adults with mental health support. The initiative came in 1995 when consequences of war on mental health could no longer be denied. Young people were disproportionately affected by the war, their childhoods being disrupted by a constant threat of death also, access to education was severely harmed leaving children without stability in their everyday life.

In 1996, programs of psychosocial aid were started and aimed at a range of groups. The project of "Reintegration of Pupils: Returnees into the School System" was key in trying to reverse the damage done by the absence of schooling during the war. 

Further projects involved the intensive programme "Reconciliation through Detraumatisation" that was launched in 2000.

The organisation continued to grow with the centre for psychosocial aid for children and youth opening in 2003. It focused on the importance of continuous education of psychologists, pedagogues and neuropsychiatrists within Wings of Hope and in Bosnia and Herzegovina in general.

In the next paragraphs you will find a successful story of one of our therapies. For more, follow this link http://wings-of-hope.ba/model-of-work/.

.P. (21-year-old male)

The project participant lives with his mother in Pale, Istocno Sarajevo. He came to the Centre presenting symptoms of social anxiety. .P.’s father was killed during the war, when the project participant was three months old. When he was 8 years old, he was diagnosed with epilepsy.

The project participant describes his mother as overprotective. Additionally, the life style the project participant has due to his epilepsy keeps him away from many social situations. When the project participant is faced with certain social situation he reacts with high anxiety. He describes the following symptoms: rapid heartbeat, tremoring hands, trembling voice, and flushing. After the completion of the assessment, the psychologist started treating social anxiety with cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). The CBT treatment included:

• Management of Anxiety;

• Exposure to Social Anxiety-Inducing Situations;

• Relaxation Treatment;

• Cognitive Interventions.

After the treatment, the project participant was able to fulfil his individually set goals, including increased tolerance to anxiety and the ability to socialize with people with decreased anxiety.