Towards peace of mind

The Northern Caucasus has a long history of armed conflicts and terrorism. The region is home to dozens of nationalities and languages, and the relationships with neighbouring regions are often troubled and problematic. Inter-ethnic and inter-religious tension, armed conflict and terrorist acts occur daily. Ingushetia, Chechnya and North Ossetia, part of the Russian Federation, share this history of violence. Amnesty International and the media regularly report on murders, kidnappings, torture and liquidations. The children of Chechnya, Ingushetia and North Ossetia have had to grow up in this environment. 

This project aims to meet the mental health needs of both these children, and their carers, in these three regions by training teachers and school counsellors of 30 schools to be able to recognise mental health problems, and to offer basic psychosocial assistance. The programme provides for a qualitative and sustainable support system that is locally, regionally and nationally endorsed in such a way that children can grow up and develop in an environment where there is an awareness of the specific psychosocial needs resulting from the daily, continuing war and violence. 

The fact that two local organisations, Dostizhenia and Denal, each with its own ethnic and religious background, are prepared to work together in this project, stresses the urgent need in the region to help these children even more. This project is made possible largely by a grant from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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