From may 29, 2023 to June 2, 2023, HAQI Foundation held a five-day training session for 220 staffs of Auditor General (OFAG) of Tigray region in Wukro city. The training was held in two groups, each consisting of 110 participants. The training was on psychological healing aiming to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to identify and manage their emotional and psychological health.
The heavy armed conflict that has happened in Tigray for the past three years was characterized by a total blockade of humanitarian aid, wanton destruction of facilities such as health, educational, farming and other, and the displacement of millions of people. This war has left the region debilitated, wounded and created stressful environment mainly affecting the community as a whole and the civil servants largely. This mess has caused in the development of higher mental health problems for the civil servants characterized by the following:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): a mental health disorder characterized by symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and hyper vigilance.
- Depression and anxiety: this can affect the person's ability to function at work and in their personal life.
- Burnout: Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion that can occur when a person is exposed to chronic stress.
- Secondary trauma: civil service staff may also experience secondary trauma, which occurs when a person is exposed to traumatic events through their work with survivors of violence or displacement. This exposure can lead to symptoms similar to PTSD.
As HAQI Foundation, we have made our priorities to ensure the civil servants and organizations take a psychological healing training prior to the starting of work in the post crisis and despite starting or not as well.
