Uganda

Gulu

PARTNER

The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT)

While the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) conflict (1994-2006) in northern Uganda ended more than a decade ago, the effects of torture, forced conscription, child soldiers and sexual slavery perpetrated during the war continue to impact individuals and communities. Alarmingly, psychological injuries remain unaddressed for most survivors. The great lack of mental health resources has meant that many continue to struggle with depression, post-traumatic stress symptoms and anxiety.

Fondation d’Harcourt is partnering with The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT), who have been working in northern Uganda since 2009, to provide specialized mental health trauma rehabilitation to torture and war trauma survivors. CVT’s approach is based on the three-stage Trauma Therapy Model developed by Dr. Judith Herman of Harvard University Medical School. This therapy model seeks to improve the mental health of patients through group mental health counseling and individual therapy as necessary.

The goal of the program is two-fold, providing both direct mental health services for survivors and capacity-building in mental health delivery for service providers. These efforts will help individuals suffering from the effects of torture and trauma rebuild their lives with dignity and enable them to contribute effectively again to their families and communities. It will also allow mental health care providers to better understand, identify, support, and treat these survivors.

In addition, an internship program at CVT has been developed for Master’s psychology students from Makerere university. A certificate will be awarded after the completion of a year-long training curriculum and various supervision sessions.