Simina 19, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; // phone:+381 11 30 32 125; fax:+381 11 263 43 48;
      

Psychosocial support to migrants


23/08/2018

The Red Cross of Serbia has since the beginning of the migrant crisis provided support to migrants. One of the activities that the Red Cross of Serbia is renowned for is psychosocial support. When the Red Cross of Serbia coordinates the work of volunteers and professionals in this area, the focus is primarily on preserving and improving human dignity, but also the wellbeing of people leaving their homes. Migrants face economic, social and emotional hardships and many are separated from their friends, families and support systems, feeling lonely and displaced.

In order to support the migrants in preserving their mental health, the Red Cross of Serbia provides psychosocial support services in six migrant centres. In order to improve these activities, on 22 August a workshop was organised for volunteers and professionals on measuring wellbeing and risks to mental health. The workshop was organised in partnership with Psychosocial Innovation Network with support provided by International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. 19 participants from municipalities of Sombor, Subotica, Sid, Kikinda and Belgrade familiarised themselves with the questionnaires, provided their suggestions based on experience as well as to learn how to enter the data in the online database. The first bits of data on wellbeing of migrants receiving psychosocial support services are expected in early October.