Who cares for former child soldiers? Mental health systems of care in sierra leone

Authors

Suzan J. Song, Asian Americans for Community Involvement of Santa Clara County, Inc.
Helene Van Den Brink, City of Rests
Joop De Jong, Amsterdam UMC - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

10-1-2013

Journal

Community Mental Health Journal

Volume

49

Issue

5

DOI

10.1007/s10597-013-9597-3

Keywords

Child soldiers; Mental health; Psychosocial; Systems of care; War

Abstract

While numerous studies on former child soldiers (FCS) have shown mental health needs, adequate services are a challenge. This study aimed to identify priorities, barriers and facilitators of mental health care for Sierra Leonean FCS. Thematic analysis was done on 24 qualitative interviews with participants from diverse sectors. Priorities of mental distress, substance abuse, and gender-based violence were common among FCS clients. Barriers were governmental support and communication with other providers. Perceived facilitators of care were primary- and secondary-level interventions. A public mental health model would feasibly build upon local, culturally embraced interventions, targeting local priorities and reducing barriers to care. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.

APA Citation

Song, S., Van Den Brink, H., & De Jong, J. (2013). Who cares for former child soldiers? Mental health systems of care in sierra leone. Community Mental Health Journal, 49 (5). http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10597-013-9597-3