Need to come to terms with oneself

Sri Lanka is in need of healing according to a forum working in the psychosocial sector. The Psychosocial Forum, established 12 years ago, says over two and a half decades of conflict coupled with the devastating tsunami of 2004 have affected the psychosocial well-being of communities to different levels of intensity.

A press briefing was held at Cinnamon Grand Lakeside Hotel to explain about the Psychosocial Forum and the participants were Rev Sister Fatimanayake, Dr Tami Tamutegama, Ms Chrishara Paranawitharana, Ms Rani Samuel and Ms Nisansala Gunasekera.

The Psychosocial Forum, is associated with the Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (CHA). The group which comprises around 50 organizations points out that Sri Lankans have always been enriched by their culture and spirituality that provided them with the necessary coping skills in times of trouble But the scale of the war, the tsunami and the change in the social structures, have affected those coping mechanisms.

A member of the Forum said “We are looking at a melting pot of negative emotions in Sri Lanka. Healing has to be undertaken in a big way. People do not know how to come to terms with themselves.”

The Forum supports a range of programmes in 13 districts to promote quality, competence and accountability of organizations and individuals within the field and has a broader vision to enhance psychosocial well-being o f individuals and communities.

In a bid to share its knowledge and experience, the Forum has developed fundamental standards for training, guidelines for good practices of psychosocial work, and a publication aimed at promoting understanding of ‘psychosocial’ work within the Sri Lankan context.

The Forum says there must be a concerted effort by the community to bring about positive change.

The Psychosocial Forum was established in 1997 with an overall objective to promote effective coordination among local and international state and non-governmental organizations conducting psychosocial programmes in Sri Lanka. Forum’s main mission is to enhance the quality, competence and accountability of psychosocial work of individuals, organizations and institutions, with an emphasis on issues related to conflict and disaster

It’s objectives are: to achieve common accountability of ht PSF members; to achieve clear understanding of the psychosocial approach; to recommend standards, guidelines and policies; to provide a neutral space for participants to share information on the work of their organizations and findings of research studies; to strengthen networking among non-governmental organizations, governmental organizations, regional agroups, international agencies and projects; to improve information exchange, documentation and dissemination of psychosocial material; assist capacity building in the sector and to provide a platform for discussing and exchange ideas.

- Asian Tribune -