PIN conducted the Round Table Discussion which took place in Rex Cultural Center on Tuesday 5th of July. Round Table Discussion theme was psychological support for service providers in Serbia, i.e. people working with refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants. All of them are on a daily basis faced with people who have experienced most terrifying human suffering, and as such exposed to secondary traumatization (ST).
ST comprises of typical trauma-related symptoms usually seen in trauma survivors suffering from PTSD, such as avoidance, negative mood and cognitions, hyperarousal and intrusions which lead to inability to successfully engage in daily job activities and everyday life.
The Round Table Discussion aim to stress importance of burn out and secondary traumatization prevention and initiate discussion about current practices and policies regarding Mental health of service providers among organizations involved in asylum matter in Serbia
On this occasion we also presented results of the first study regarding mental health of service providers in Serbia and prevention of secondary traumatization and burnout. The study aimed to gain initial insight into experiences of people working with refugees and to provide preliminary data on risk factors for ST in people working with refugees in Serbia.
The study as well as all activities regarding psychological support for service providers was conducted within the project PIN is implementing in partnership and with the great support from International Rescue Committee (IRC) since January 2016th.
Big thank you to all the institutions and organizations who helped the realization of this project.