A way out of depression and trauma

Depression and stress disorders are not confined to rich industrialised countries, but can affect people in every corner of the globe. Three-quarters of all people suffering from mental illness live in countries with low and medium income levels. The World Health Organization has dedicated this year's World Health Day on 7 April to the topic of "mental health". Working on behalf of the German Federal Government, KfW is supporting mental health projects in a series of countries.

Many young people, who have fled Syria seeking refuge in Iraq, have been victims of violence. Some of them have been abducted, kept in slavery or forced into marriage. Their experience of war has taken a heavy toll on them and can lead to mental health problems. In an effort to ease their suffering and provide psychosocial care, KfW is supporting the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) with a EUR 5 million grant from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The aim of the measure is to provide over 10,000 children, half of which are girls, with psychological support and treatment. A total of 2,000 volunteers are taking part in advanced training courses, so that they are able to provide support. Overall, 35,000 refugees and internally displaced persons are taking part in campaigns to shed light on the risks and consequences of violence.

Iraq is not the only country to receive support from KfW for mental health projects. Illnesses like depression or anxiety can often be traced back to external factors. In developing countries, these factors refer mainly to poverty and adversity, but can also include natural catastrophes, migration and violence. At the same time, poorer countries tend to lack suitable mechanisms for treatment. And even if therapy is available, around 80 percent of all people with neuropsychiatric conditions cannot afford to receive the treatment they need.

"In light of heightening conflicts, particularly in North Africa and the Middle East, we will be promoting even more programmes like this in future," explains Senior KfW Project Manager Sascha Stadtler. "After all, processing your suffering is an important part of making a fresh start – and rebuilding a country."

Liberia and Congo – Support for victims of violence

In south-east Liberia, an area afflicted by a 14-year-long civil war, KfW has long been providing support to the non-governmental organisation Medica Mondiale, which offers therapy for abused women and girls as part of a larger-scale programme. During the war, around 70% of women in Liberia were raped and sexual violence remains a wide-spread problem today. The need for support is therefore high.

Just like in Iraq, Liberia also has a network of specially trained volunteers, who provide protection and act as the first point of contact for victims of violence. Specially built "Palaver Huts" provide a place of refuge for women and girls. These protected spaces enable them to talk about their experiences. If necessary, specialists can provide support for mental health issues. So far, almost 1,700 women and girls have received support through the project. "The programme aims to do more than just help people to deal with their experience of violence; it also wants to bring stability to the region. Reconciliation with the past plays an important role in this process," says Senior Project Manager Stefan Lindemann, explaining KfW's approach.

In eastern Congo, KfW financing has so far helped tens of thousands of women to access medical treatment or psychological support. Rape figures for eastern Congo are among the highest in the world. Because the issue is associated with a great deal of shame, KfW has been working with the independent organisation Heal Africa to develop a support model for girls and women who have been victims of rape - similar to its approach in Liberia. Local advisors play a central role in this model with hundreds of women receiving special training for this purpose. They understand the women's day-to-day lives and will remain in the local community once the project is over. They speak to victims and their family members, help to raise awareness in the community, and, as a result, help to lessen the trauma. The programme also covers measures to generate income so that women are able to build a new life for themselves. A minimum degree of financial independence is an essential factor in ultimately breaking the cycle of violence and degradation.