More Peruvian professionals are trained in mental health care to assist child and adolescent survivors of trafficking in persons
This new group increases to almost 500 the number of mental health professionals trained since 2022.
14 September 2023
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Lima - In Peru, child and adolescent victims of abuse and trafficking in persons receive increasingly specialized mental health care from the professionals of the Community Mental Health Centres (CSMC) and the Modules for Child Abuse Health Care (MAMIS), who have enhanced their capacities in the third edition of the Labour Training Program in Mental Health.
The training covered the application of guidelines for the provision of specialized mental health services to better identify and address the multiple aspects of trauma experienced by child survivors of trafficking, while preventing re-victimization by service providers.
Lilia Aquije Salazar, a psychologist at a CSMC in Lima, believes that the course was useful because it allowed her to understand that behind a mental disorder, such as depression or anxiety, there may be an underlying problem like a trauma from sexual abuse or other types of violence, such as exploitation. "That makes me stay alert at work, to ask more questions that will lead me to the primary diagnosis," said the mental health professional.
The understanding, approach, and adequate therapeutic intervention in situations of trauma experienced by child victims of trafficking is a key element in their recovery process and eventual family, economic and social reintegration.
"In our centre, we have received some cases of children and adolescents who are victims of abuse. The course has helped me to use new therapeutic strategies and to intervene properly not only with the patient but also with the family," explained Vanessa Cruz Sotomayor, psychologist at the "Sowing Hope" Community Mental Health Centre in Huamachuco, La Libertad.
The Labour Training Program in Mental Health is based on the application of the "Technical guidelines for the comprehensive mental health care of child and adolescent victims and survivors of trafficking in persons", approved by the Ministry of Health in June 2021. Its three editions were carried out by the National School of Public Health and the Ministry of Health, with the technical support of the International Labour Organization since 2022, as part of the activities of the project Partnerships in Action to End Child Trafficking in Peru.
The training covered the application of guidelines for the provision of specialized mental health services to better identify and address the multiple aspects of trauma experienced by child survivors of trafficking, while preventing re-victimization by service providers.
Lilia Aquije Salazar, a psychologist at a CSMC in Lima, believes that the course was useful because it allowed her to understand that behind a mental disorder, such as depression or anxiety, there may be an underlying problem like a trauma from sexual abuse or other types of violence, such as exploitation. "That makes me stay alert at work, to ask more questions that will lead me to the primary diagnosis," said the mental health professional.
The understanding, approach, and adequate therapeutic intervention in situations of trauma experienced by child victims of trafficking is a key element in their recovery process and eventual family, economic and social reintegration.
"In our centre, we have received some cases of children and adolescents who are victims of abuse. The course has helped me to use new therapeutic strategies and to intervene properly not only with the patient but also with the family," explained Vanessa Cruz Sotomayor, psychologist at the "Sowing Hope" Community Mental Health Centre in Huamachuco, La Libertad.
The Labour Training Program in Mental Health is based on the application of the "Technical guidelines for the comprehensive mental health care of child and adolescent victims and survivors of trafficking in persons", approved by the Ministry of Health in June 2021. Its three editions were carried out by the National School of Public Health and the Ministry of Health, with the technical support of the International Labour Organization since 2022, as part of the activities of the project Partnerships in Action to End Child Trafficking in Peru.