Description:
Although forced migration is not new in human history it has become, in our time, one of the world's major problems. In the last few decades, armed conflict and political unrest have created vast numbers of asylum seekers, refugees and displaced persons. This has led, in turn to increasing involvement of professional care workers and agencies, both governmental and nongovernmental. While there is no doubt on the part of helping parties that care is necessary, there is considerable debate about the kind of care that is needed. This book presents a critical review of mental health care provisions for people who have had to leave their homeland, and explores the controversies surrounding this topic. Providing fresh perspectives on an age old problem, this book covers humanitarian aid and reconstruction programs as well as service provision in host countries. It is of interest to all those who provide health services, create policy, and initiate legislation for these populations.
Review Quotes:
"This book is relevant to all those working with refugees and displaced persons amongst health and social work professionals as well as other care givers and policy makers. In almost all chapters the limitations of the Western concept of traumatic stress with its strong accent on postramatic stress disorder is emphasized. Furthermore, the important role. of the cultural context is illustrated. The advantage of focising on practival problems rather than emotion is another leading theme."
-Wybrand Op den Velde, medical consltant of Stichting 1940-1945 and member of the Scientific Advisory Board of War Trauma Foundation.
Intervention 2005, Volume 3, Number 2