Mental Health

Issues with mental health are perhaps the most widespread health complication in the refugee community. However, due to an array of factors, this service has been temporarily put on hold. In the past, we have hired a full-time psychologist at our clinic and hosted various support groups for adults, teenagers, and children. However, we encountered one barrier after another that stifled us from making any progress on this front. First of all, almost every refugee needs PTSD therapy. In the city of Cuenca, this constitutes just under 15,000 patients. Now, each of those patients needs to undergo months of one-on-one treatment and maintain an open mind towards mental health practices. However, this is far from the case. Mental health therapy is viewed with a condescending stigma in Latin America and especially in Venezuela. That leaves us with the frustration of needing dozens of mental health workers to meet the need, and yet the vast majority of refugees are unwilling to accept help in this fashion. Grace is currently reevaluating the situation and experimenting with solutions.