Training Manual: Mental Health and Gender-based Violence - Helping Survivors of Sexual Violence in Conflict

This training has been developed for helpers who provide assistance and support to women who survive gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual trauma during disasters, conflicts and emergency situations, where access to health professionals with psychological or psychiatric expertise is limited.

This manual can be used in different ways. The manual is not a therapy manual, but a training manual that suggests approaches and techniques that address the psychological needs of GBV survivors. It may also supplement and deepen the understanding of health workers who already have knowledge and experience. The main purpose, however, is to be used in training of helpers, to strengthen understanding trauma and practical approaches to assistance. It maybe a tool for helpers who train other helpers and for groups of helpers who need self-study materials.

The manual can be read, studied and discussed, and the exercises it contains can be tested and applied in groups working with this subject matter.

The manual is published by the organisation Health and Human Rights, which aims to make resources on mental health more accessible to health professionals and others working with people exposed to human rights violations in disaster, war and conflict areas.

Learn more about the training manual.

Please find the training manual in English, Spanish, Arabic or Russian here.