Acknowledgements
erre des Hommes Lausanne (TDH) and the Technical Unit team at its Gaza office wish to express their gratitude to UNICEF in Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) for financing the project to develop a Comprehensive Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Mapping Tool for Gaza and for the professional advice and unflagging support provided by its Child Protection Officers based in Jerusalem and Gaza (Ruth OConnell, Reem Tarazi, Saudamini Siegrist, and Mioh Nemoto) throughout the entire process. Not least is our appreciation to Claire Colliard, who, as Technical Unit Coordinator and, therefore, directly responsible for the mapping tools initial development, saved no effort to make sure the project remained on course. The project would have neither achieved its intended objectives without critical inputs provided by the TDH Jerusalem Office represented by Federica Riccardi (Country Delegate) and the specific contributions of Ana Carrizo, (Field Coordinator) Mohammed Rozzi, (Child Specialist) and Wail El Madhon, (Translator and Coordinator Assistant). A special word of thanks to Mr. Walid Sabah, Director of Department of Coordination with NGOs and Mr. Mahmud EDamma, Health specialist at Community Training Center and Conflict Management in Gaza City for their generous insider guidance throughout the different phases of this project. The efforts of the Technical Units support team, composed by Hesham Abu Lamzy, (Logistician) Heba Abu Hamda (Accountant) and drivers Reyad El Neaizi and Iyas Abu Hamda were equally indispensable for the success of this project. Sincere thanks to all of them and to all the volunteers who took part in the data collection.
Mapping of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services in the Gaza Strip
Final Report, 2010
DR. ITAF ABED - KEVEN BERMUDEZ - MOHAMMED AL FAR
Mapping of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services in the Gaza Strip
Index
9
INTRODUCTION
10 15 35 36 39
MAPPING FINDINGS
GAPS
IN
RECOMMENDATIONS
ANNEXES Annex 1
Questionnaire
40 44 48 53
Annex 2
Activities IASC oriented
Annex 3
MHPSS Glossary
Annex 4
MHPSS Organizations Contact Information
Introduction
he need for a comprehensive mapping of existing MHPSS services in the Gaza Strip became obvious following Cast Lead (January 2009) due to the large influx of organizations conducting activities in this sector in absence of an inter-agency coordination framework. This, quite foreseeable, resulted in an incoherent and fragmented overall response characterized by considerable duplication, even triplication of MHPSS services to address certain needs, while other important needs went unaddressed. MHPSS Cluster leaders in Gaza, (MoH, UNICEF, WHO) therefore, echoed concerns expressed by multiple operating partners as regards the need to plan appropriately for future crisis by promoting the initiative to develop a mapping tool that would provide public and private sector actors with
basic understanding about existing MHPSS services throughout the strip, as required to jointly build a coherent response, establish necessary collaborations, improve coordination and information sharing, as well as assist in referrals. The Technical Unit in Terre des Hommes Lausannes Gaza office was established in January 2010 with a mandate to develop this initiative with the collaboration of sector actors, many of which are active members in the MHPSS Working Group and subgroups. The first version of the mapping database was finalized in early December 2010, after completing a database validation procedure. What follows is a description of the intervening process through its various stages of development, the major findings, and some recommendations.
he following chapter summarizes the mapping process, including instrument development, data collection, database development, verification process, updating the sector and challenges faced.
2 Instruments
2.1 The questionnaire The next stage consisted in developing a questionnaire adapted to the Gaza context to be used to conduct interviews with identified stakeholders. While the activity categories in the Global Mapping tool developed by WHO (4ws) provided a good starting point to develop the questionnaire, it became apparent that these needed to be further refined to reflect local realities. 2.2 Pilot test Once the MOU was signed with the MoH for the projects implementation, the resulting questionnaire was pilot-tested among 13 major MHPSS organizations prior to establishing its final version.
1 Initial stage
The initial stage of the mapping project, which lasted 4 months, consisted in securing an agreement with the MoH in Gaza to implement this initiative. This first required defining the conceptual framework to map the existing resources and reaching a shared understanding with the MoH regarding MHPSS-related activities, in order to make the database as integrative as possible. The IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, as well as similar mapping experiences carried out in the region, were referenced for this purpose. Meanwhile, reduced-scale mapping resources available in different Gaza-based agencies were identified and relevant information contained in them was retrieved and collated to form the basis for this new, broadbased mapping tool.
3 Data collection
A list of MHPSS organizations operating in Gaza was developed on the basis of different resources. 600 were identified in total. Emails were then sent to these organizations to confirm their involvement in psychosocial projects. The response was minor. Thus, phone calls had to be made to all organiza-
10
tions on this preliminary list to determine the exact number of actors conducting psychosocial projects at this time and to take appointments with focal points for interviews. The results of these phone contacts reduced the number of identified organizations to 162, among which were found a number of different Palestinian Ministries, NGOs, CBOs, INGOs, and UN offices. Subsequently, a team of 8 interviewers, including the TU coordinator, 2 psychosocial specialists, and 5 appropriately-trained volunteers, was formed to conduct face-to-face interviews with the contacted focal points within each identified organization, using the developed questionnaire. Appointments were arranged to visit 4-6 organizations on a daily basis. The questionnaire and a cover letter explaining the purpose of mapping was handed to the focal point within each organization. All information regarding the TU UNICEF project was discussed with the focal points before signing the letter of consent and starting the interview.
to, ultimately, provide online access to this database to simplify browsing and direct updating by the MHPSS service providers.
5 Sector updating
The Technical Unit organized a system-wide meeting to update involved actors on progress made in the development of the mapping tool and kept them updated through monthly MHPSS Working Group meetings.
6 Verification process
Upon completion of the first version of the mapping tool, the final stage prior to its public dissemination involved designing, jointly with the MoH, a data verification procedure and implementing it in partnership with MoH officials. 22 organizations were included in this data validation process, which was considered a sufficiently representative sample (35% of the total).
7 Database updating
Finally, a questionnaire to facilitate the process of updating stored information on organizational activities was designed, to be distributed among MHPSS service providers at regular intervals by a local organization that will be responsible to assist the MoH to keep the database current.
11
the mapping database. They didnt construe their activities as holding a narrow link with the improvement of the local populations mental health status. Consequently, there was initial resistance to develop an all-inclusive mapping database. Much discussion took place to reach a common understanding with these health authorities about the importance of integrating community-based agencies in the overall response, especially in view of possible future emergencies, where there is less of a need for mental health expertise in the immediate aftermath of a crisis and more of a need to strengthen community resilience by building on available resources and capacities. The priority, especially in anticipation of such situations, ought to be to build an integrated support system consisting of various layers, as reflected in the following IASC pyramid:
This ensures that the local population is consulted and actively participates in decision-making during a crisis that affects them directly or indirectly, rather than having to rely entirely on external expertise to plan the response, which may lead to their increased passivity. At the point where it became possible to develop the MHPSS questionnaire, another difficulty was to match the ongoing MHPSS activities in Gaza with the categories and sub-categories outlined in the WHO 4Ws system. New definitions were required to reflect Gazas reality. Furthermore, numerous identified services were operating projects at level 1 of the IASC pyramid; had this category of activity been included in the questionnaire, the mapping database would now contain upwards of 600 orga-
12
nizations. Reaching them to verify these extremes was time-consuming and frustrating at times, since their published information was outdated; some never replied to calls or emails. Numerous organizations among those visited had come to a standstill while waiting for additional funding to implement psychosocial activities and, therefore, could only respond retrospectively
9 Glossary
In parallel, a glossary of MHPSS terms was developed to facilitate information exchange among involved actors on related topics (see annex in CD).
10 Ethical consideration
The participation of organizations in the mapping exercise was voluntary and their consent for the dissemination of their information regarding their services online was obtained before the start of the interview.
13
Mapping Findings
This chapter aims to display the main findings generated from mapping the mental health and psychosocial services in Gaza, as reported by 162 identified MHPSS organizations. The main findings were summarized in the following tables.
Mapping Findings
42 40 38 36 34 32 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Gaza North Governatorate NGO Gaza INGO Der Al-Balah UN System CBOs Khaqn Yunis Private Other Rafah
16
Psychosocial support in education Psychological activities in protection Facilitating and strengthening Psycho-education in community setting Supporting community self-help
16 12 1 5
2 13 7 2
Case management / social work Structured social activities Psychological activities in protection Facilitating and strengthening
1 9 4 7
Supporting community self-help Psycho-education in community setting Psychosocial support in education Strtuctural activities to support MHPSS services
17
Mapping Findings
52 49 5 36
12 55 13 13
Case management / social work Structured social activities Psychological activities in protection Facilitating and strengthening
9 30 17 42
Supporting community self-help Psycho-education in community setting Psychosocial support in education Strtuctural activities to support MHPSS services
Psychosocial support in education Psychological activities in protection Facilitating and strengthening Psycho-education in community setting Supporting community self-help
31 21 2 15
5 29 11 6
Case management / social work Structured social activities Psychological activities in protection Facilitating and strengthening
7 16 5 11
Supporting community self-help Psycho-education in community setting Psychosocial support in education Strtuctural activities to support MHPSS services
18
Psycho-education in community setting Psychological activities in protection Facilitating and strengthening Supporting community self-help
11 12 2 11
4 15 4 2
Case management / social work Structured social activities Psychological activities in protection Facilitating and strengthening
2 6 4 4
Supporting community self-help Psycho-education in community setting Psychosocial support in education Strtuctural activities to support MHPSS services
Facilitating and strengthening Psychological medication Psychological activities in protection Psychotherapy Case management / social work
18 13 2 10
1 15 6 6
Case management / social work Structured social activities Psychological activities in protection Facilitating and strengthening
3 13 5 8
Supporting community self-help Psycho-education in community setting Psychosocial support in education Strtuctural activities to support MHPSS services
19
Mapping Findings
3. Activities for Each Different Target Group in Different Areas of the Gaza Strip
Table 3 shows the number of activities targeting different target groups and existing disparities. It shows that nearly half of the activities target children and women (47%, n=1093/2310). At the lower end of the scale, men (.5%, n= 13/2310), youth (.9%, n= 23/2310), staff (.9%, n= 23/2310) and teachers (n= .2%, 4/2310) appear to be among the least targeted groups. The lowest number of available specialized activities are focused on mentally ill people (5%, n=107/2310), elderly people (6%, n=146/2310) and physically disable people (9%, n=207/2310)
20
Children Women Families Internally displaced persons Elderly People People with physical disability Mentaly il persons Youth Staff Men Teachers
Children Women Families Internally displaced persons Elderly People People with physical disability Mentaly il persons Youth Staff Men Teachers
21
Mapping Findings
Children Women Families Internally displaced persons People with physical disability Elderly People Mentaly il persons Youth Staff Men Teachers
Women Children Families Elderly People Internally displaced persons People with physical disability Mentaly il persons Staff Teachers Youth Men
22
Women Children Families Internally displaced persons Elderly People People with physical disability Mentaly il persons Staff Youth Men Teachers
23
Mapping Findings
24
25
Mapping Findings
26
27
Mapping Findings
28
29
Mapping Findings
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
160
30
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
160
31
Mapping Findings
Yes 75 70 65 60 55 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Government
No
No Answer
NGO
INGO
UN System
CBOs
Private
Other
32
Yes 60 55 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Government
No
No Answer
NGO
INGO
UN System
CBOs
Private
Other
33
Mapping Findings
Yes 75 70 65 60 55 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Government
No
No Answer
NGO
INGO
UN System
CBOs
Other
34
At close examination of the results displayed through the attached reports, it becomes possible to clarify the current gaps in MHPSS service provision in Gaza Strip: Most specialized professionals in this sector are operating in large urban areas, depriving the non-urban areas from available expertise. This void is being supplied by non-professionalized workers, e.g. animators, traditional healers, who also operate with limited training and resources. There is no common understanding about acceptable standards of practice for each category of workers in this sector. Priority is being given to women and children, especially the 7-12 age group, (345 activities) the 13-18 age group, (333 activities) and youth (353 activities). Infants and 60+ adults receive less attention 62 out of 622 activities and 66 out of 622 activities respectively. Multiplication of similar MHPSS services in high density population areas persists, which results in a portion of users likely receiving identical services from different available sources, while others lack support. Each organization operates according to project-specific mandates, as a result of which training, intervention, and referral protocols are not unified across the sector. A large majority of MHPSS actors are unfamiliar with IASC guidelines (only 20% reported familiarity). The commonly expressed training demands seem to reflect a wide perception that there is further need to consolidate basic required skills in MHPSS. Training received at university level doesnt often match the requirements of the job. Most MHPSS interventions are being designed and implemented without an evidence base, due to minimal investment in research (only 9% of actors are funding research) and local expertise in conducting studies, especially of the qualitative type. These interventions are, consequently, reactive and short-term, with no durable effects. Coordination and capacity building appear to be central concerns among MHPSS stakeholders, beyond the usual ones of funding and logistics.
35
Recommendations
On the basis of these identified gaps, and in the interest of building a coherent set of MHPSS services that integrates the full range of operating partners at different levels of the pyramid, it would be advisable to focus further attention on the following critical aspects: There is a need to distribute specialized human resources more evenly throughout the strip, even if only in a supervisory capacity. There is a need to standardize a definition of the specific roles to be performed by different categories of workers operating in this sector, their training requirements, which will help establish the appropriate boundaries for their projects, create stronger links between different services, and avoid unnecessary overlap. More MHPSS services need to target men, especially young adult males who are currently unemployed and who, therefore, are unable to accomplish culturally-sanctioned life milestones, e.g. marriage. MHPSS-oriented organizations need to acquire a clearer understanding of the natural linkage that exists between mental health care and psychosocial support in order to ensure complementarity and a coordinated response. Broader awareness of the IASC guidelines among project planners is necessary. There is a need to strengthen university-level curricula in MHPSS by incorporating elements that prepare students to deal with the kinds of issues they will face in their future work context, and which provides them a basis in practice before graduation. There is a need to invest further in research, especially qualitative research, in order to acquire the evidence base that project planners need to design projects that effectively improve the populations mental health and psychosocial wellbeing.
36
There is a need to continually update the mapping database to keep it current and useful. It is the strong wish of the Technical Unit team in Terre des Hommes Lausanne that the first version of the MHPSS mapping database will prove to be a useful tool in support of these efforts. In particular, the mapping database can serve to generate a variety of detailed reports on activities being conducted in this cluster, as might be requested by different project planners to orient the design of new MHPSS interventions.
For further tailored findings, enquires and information you can contact the MHPSS Technical Unit: Email: techunit.tdh@gmail.com Direct line: 00972.(0)8.286.3251
37
Annex
Annex I MHPSS Questionnaire Annex 2 Activities IASC Oriented Annex 3 MHPSS Glossary Annex 4 MHPSS Organizations Contact Information
40
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46
47
48
49
50
51
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53
54
55
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57
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2010, Terre des hommes Lausanne - Child Relief Photos and graphics by Pierfrancesco Pivato pierfrancescopivato@gmail.com Alfalasteenya For Printing & Adv. Gaza Tel: 08 2843080