Mental health refuge: Free therapy for refugees

During 2022, Foundation Wings of Hope has continued activities and services in the field of psychotherapy and counseling, encompassed by its multi-systemic integrative model of work (cooperation between a psychiatrist, psychotherapists, psychologists, social workers, pedagogues, teachers, and legal aid). Donations for this project through GlobalGiving have allowed Wings of Hope to provide vital support services to refugees in Sarajevo. During the implementation of this project, Wings of Hope aided multiple refugees through the psychotherapy, legal, and social work services provided by the organization. Wings of Hope provided refugees with psychotherapy services to help with the trauma they experienced in escaping poverty and human rights abuses. Additionally, the legal aid aspect of the organization worked to find possible locations for the refugees to successfully seek asylum. Third, social workers helped refugees return to refugee camps instead of living on the streets. The refugees were mostly asylum-seekers who experienced severe traumatic events, losing family members, and finding themselves in a new and life-threatening environment. For some of the participants, we supplied an interpreter who works together with psychotherapists in order to effectively communicate with the refugees who were not able to speak the language. The participants are now engaged in a long-lasting therapy process that is sustained beyond the duration of the project. These activities have been of particular importance during this period due to the effects of COVID-19. In addition to existing vulnerabilities as refugees, COVID-19 increased the need for mental health support, and it was even more vital that individuals had a place to stay instead of remaining homeless. Our multi-systemic approach and the availability of different services make WoH the first choice compared to public institutions, which are usually overwhelmed by the number of people seeking help. Furthermore, Wings of Hope is able to provide services to those who either do not have insurance or are unable to otherwise pay for services themselves.

Links:

• Wings of Hope website

During 2021, Foundation Wings of Hope has continued activities and services in the field of psychotherapy and counseling, encompassed by its multi-systemic integrative model of work (cooperation between a psychiatrist, psychotherapists, psychologists, social workers, pedagogues, teachers, and legal aid). Donations for this project through GlobalGiving has allowed Wings of Hope to provide vital support services to refugees in Sarajevo.

During the implementation of this project, Wings of Hope aided multiple refugees through the psychotherapy, legal, and social work services provided by the organization. Wings of Hope provided refugees with psychotherapy services to help with the trauma they experienced in escaping poverty and human rights abuses. Additionally, the legal aid aspect of the organization worked to find possible locations for the refugees to successfully seek asylum. Third, social workers helped refugees return to refugee camps instead of living on the streets.

The refugees were mostly asylum-seekers who experienced severe traumatic events, losing family members, and finding themselves in a new and life-threatening environment. For some of the participants, we supplied an interpreter who works together with psychotherapists in order to effectively communicate with the refugees who were not able to speak the language. The participants are now engaged in a long-lasting therapy process that is sustained beyond the duration of the project.

These activities were of particular importance during this period due to the effects of COVID-19. In addition to existing vulnerabilities as refugees, COVID-19 increased the need for mental health support, and it was even more vital that individuals had a place to stay instead of remaining homeless.

Our multi-systemic approach and the availability of different services make WoH the first choice compared to public institutions, which are usually overwhelmed by the number of people seeking help. Furthermore, Wings of Hope is able to provide services to those who either do not have insurance or are unable to otherwise pay for services themselves.

Links:

• Wings of Hope website