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Balkan Recovery Project
CATASTROPHIC TRAUMA RECOVERY TRAINING (CTR)
A new and urgent Humanitarian Relief Effort
providing on-site training in catastrophic trauma recovery skills
to local relief workers assisting refugees and victims of violence
in the Balkans.
Endorsed & supported by NGO & government organizations
throughout the Balkans
Sponsored by: Common Bond Institute (CBI)
In cooperation with: Association for Humanistic Psychology (AHP)
The Balkan Recovery Project offers a unique integrated,
intensive Catastrophic Trauma Recovery (CTR) training model
incorporating a number of key components designed to treat victims
of violence suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in
Kosova and other regions of the Balkans.
This is an ongoing
"training of trainers" project conducted on site in the Balkans
for hundreds of local relief workers by teams of specially trained
mental health professionals. The intent is to create a large,
expanding, and permanent pool of relief workers capable of offering
direct assistance to tens of thousands in need, and to train
others in these skills. Continued training and consultation
occurs with support from Common Bond Institute (CBI), the Association
for Humanistic Psychology (AHP), the EMDR Institute, and other
cooperating professional organizations internationally.
Use
of the CTR Training/Treatment model as a possible template for
treating large traumatized populations in other parts of the
world is being explored.
While the project most immediately addresses
assistance to victims from Kosova and Albania, it is intended
for health professionals and relief workers assisting victims
throughout the Balkans. Assistance is also available to members
of peacekeeping forces and relief agencies struggling with the
stress of dealing with disaster sites. An added benefit is the
invaluable investment in the future health services of the region.
The latest United Nations needs assessment on
the Balkans, regional NGO coordinating agencies, and local government
representatives confirm that, although many efforts are underway
to address obvious physical needs of refugees, there is a dire
lack of services addressing the effects of deep emotional trauma
on tens of thousands of individuals, their families, and their
communities. The pervasive presence of such a large segment
of traumatized members at all levels of these societies poses
perhaps the most formidable barrier to peace. It is imperative
to not only the present but to the future that victims on all
sides are assisted in healing and recovering from their tragic
experiences
APPEAL FOR SUPPORT - How to Help: This crucial
humanitarian relief project is operated by nonprofit organizations
and volunteer trainers, and is supported by contributions from
organizations and individuals. Those wishing to contribute to
this effort can send tax deductible donations of any size made
out to "Association for Humanistic Psychology", a 501c3 organization
(with a note indicating Balkan Recovery), 45 Franklin St., Suite
315, San Francisco, CA 94102 USA.
For full details on the project and how to support
it, or how experienced professionals can join a training team,
visit our web site or contact:
COMMON BOND INSTITUTE
Steve Olweean and Sandra Friedman, Co-coordinators
12170 S. Pine Ayr Drive, Climax, Michigan 49034
Ph/Fax: 616-665-9393
E-mail:
solweean@aol.com
More details and a full description of the project are available
at our WEB SITE: http://www.cbiworld.org
