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Trauma Informed Care programme

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Background:
​Mental health workers and doctors report that thousands of Ukrainian refugee children displaced by war show severe symptons of psychological trauma. "I have seen children with catatonic symptoms. Many of them stopped speaking, others cannot move their hands or fingers. They just freeze," says Ukrainian doctor Viktor Balandin. Many survivors and witness of the ongoing horrors are deeply traumatized. Tragically, theirs is  a global plight.
    One of the many young victims of the war in Yemen, six year old 'Elham' roams aimlessly around the settlement of tents that is now her home. She claps her hands, mutters incomprehensibly and, from time to time, screams hysterically to nobody in particular. She is one of about 5.500 people who have fled to Al Mazraq Camp in Yemen. Elham suffers from deep psychological trauma.
    'Abdulaziz' is nine years old. Three weeks ago, he watched soldiers murder his parents and siblings. He now looks after his little brother. Abdulaziz and his brother are the only survivors from a family of seven. For Abdulaziz, the lack of control and feelings of powerlessness are particularly difficult. 
    “If your mental health is not good, how are you supposed to move forward? I need someone to talk with. I think it is one of the most important things for us. It could ... stop those nightmares and the big depressions I have,” said 'Rafi'.  Following the Taliban takeover, Rafi fled Afghanistan with many others who continue to grapple with psychological distress and trauma.
    Globally, the numbers of internally-displaced persons, refugees and asylum seekers have reached record highs. These populations may have been exposed to traumatic events such as the increased targeting of civilian populations in areas of conflict, loss or separation from family, a life-threatening journey to safety, long waiting periods, and complexities with acculturation. A sizable proportion are at risk of developing psychological symptoms and major mental illness, including high and persistent rates of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression that can persist for many years. This poses a major global and inter-generational public health crisis with serious implications for mental health.
​    Providing appropriate, early, and ongoing mental health care to internally-displaced persons, refugees and asylum seekers benefits not only the individual but the host nation. It improves the chances of successful reintegration. In turn this has long-term social and economic benefits for their country of residence; benefits, which will likely impact not only the generation of internally-displace persons, refugees and asylum seekers but also subsequent generations

Trauma informed Care:
With treatments based on scientific knowledge about post-traumatic stress reactions endorsed by the World Health Organization, the person-centered Trauma Informed Care approach shall: alleviate peoples' suffering, protect and promote people and community health and well being as well as save money and promote prosperity. For providing state-of-the-art mental health care to internally-displaced persons, refugees and asylum seekers benefits not only the individual but the host nation. It improves the chances of successful reintegration. In turn this has long-term social and economic benefits for their country of residence; benefits, which will likely impact not only the generation of internally-displace persons, refugees and asylum seekers but also subsequent generations.

Trauma Informed Care Programme:
The University for Sustainability welcomes donations to fund scholarships for the enrollment of practicing mental healthcare professionals in the Trauma Informed Care programme offered with the University's Italian partner organisations including the world renowned Person Centered Approach Institute. 
    This continuing education programme is designed for practicing mental healthcare professionals who seek updating and life-long learning. The scholarship fund provides enrolled students with a free, certificate-bearing, Master's level educational course. The English-language course will provide online and face to face on-site instruction. It will include two one-week long intensive workshops in Turin and Rome, Italy.
​    The Trauma Informed Care programme is recognized by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, University and Research of the Republic of Italy. 

Programme director:
Alberto Zucconi (IACP) (Professor Dr. Alberto Zucconi, Psychologist, psychotherapist, educator, trainer and consultant, President Person Centered Approach Institute (IACP), Chair Board of Trustees World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS), Secretary General World University Consortium (WUC), member Board of Directors Sustainability University, member of the Global Clinical Practice Network, World Health Organization, external scientific advisor of the European Office for Investment for Health and Development (WHO EURO ), member of the scientific committee of the Shared Societies and Values, Sarajevo, member scientific committee, Institute for Advanced Studies in Levant Culture and Civilization, Bucharest, Romania, Member of the Advisory Board of the Inter-Parliamentary Coalition for Global Ethics, Co-founder World Sustainability Forum (WSF).
    Dr. Zucconi in the last 40 years has been promoting the applications of the Person Centered Approach and People Centered Approach in various settings in his international activities of training, teaching and consulting. 

The Alliance:

• Person Centered Approach Institute
• The World University Consortium
• The World Academy of Art and Science
• ​The Black Sea Universities Network
• The University for Sustainability
• ​The World Sustainability Forum

Contact: 
To inquire about the Trauma Informed Care programme click here and complete the inquiry form.