The impact of our second Men & Boys' Trauma Project
Earlier this year, we started a second run of our pioneering Men & Boys’ Trauma Project, and in a recent impact report compiled by our team, its effects have been shown to be hugely positive for participants.
The project was conducted at Domiz 2 camp for Syrian refugees between March and the end of June this year, and it was again delivered in partnership with Khaima. Designed to encourage healing through the sharing of past traumas, the programme is incredibly rare in the region because very little holistic support is available for men and boys – despite them enduring terrible atrocities in recent years and being displaced from their homes. The project included the following activities:
70 art therapy sessions
The aim of these sessions was to improve overall wellbeing of participants through the expression of their feelings using art in a safe, secure environment. Activities included free drawing, colour mixing, drawing their feelings, making collages and group artwork.
70 English language classes
Classes were held at both Beginner and Intermediate level, and introduced participants to new language skills through different learning methods, including games, fun group activities and video.
16 group counselling sessions
These concentrated on topics such as the basics of mental health, stigma around psychological disorders, common issues (eg. depression, anxiety and PTSD), as well as different treatment approaches.
15 social awareness sessions
These were aimed at raising awareness about common issues among the community. Topics included: positive masculinity, anger management, the importance of social relations, early marriage, gender-based violence, the prevention of sexual exploitation, special needs provision and technology addiction. Our psychologist and social worker also visited the families of each participant, with 53 individuals benefitting from discussion of these sorts of topics.
38 individual therapy sessions
These were provided for men and boys who were deemed to be in need of additional psychological support to process trauma.
8 business training sessions
This was a new addition to this iteration of the project, added at the request of participants from the first round. Training included practical sessions and topics included business management and small enterprises, plus smart goals and sales strategies.
Alongside all of these activities, we also conducted regular entertainment activities, including a talent show and exhibitions of their artwork. Finally, we celebrated the end of the project with a special trip and ceremony, in which participants were given certificates and joined together for singing and music.
The impact of the project has been incredible, and here are just a few of the comments from participants.
Rakan
“This project has made me feel better mentally and socially. It’s great to receive psychological and social awareness sessions and explore my feelings through art – I’ve never done this before! During the project, I have also taken English language and art therapy classes and other different awareness sessions, which has made me more knowledgeable and developed my skills. I love being here and like to see an NGO giving focus to men and boys too when it comes to mental wellbeing. I hope these opportunities continue to involve other refugee men and boys.”
Haji
“I really like being part of it and it's incredible to spend my time learning things like art, English and participating in awareness sessions, and especially the individual mental health counselling. The project not only positively affected me, but also my family, because the way I communicate with them now and solve problems is very different. All of this has pushed me to continue and become more excited for what each day in the project brings.”
Siraj
“I took part primarily to learn English and meet new people. Making friends during the classes made me feel much better and more relaxed. I recommend that all of the community, especially men, participate in these sessions to learn and spend their free time on something worthwhile.”
Support traumatised men and boys
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