It is likely that you would come away from these sorts of experiences with some psychological damage. Yet a vast number of people we see – whose horrific experiences and traumatic escape have left them with depression, deep anxiety and in some cases post-traumatic stress – are denied the treatment that will give them a chance to recover from their ordeals. These are ordinary people, like you and me, who led normal everyday lives until suffering persecution or violence so intense that they fled from their homes.
Take the story of Makemba*, a young woman I have been helping over the past few months. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Makemba was orphaned at the age of 12 when her father died and her mother was shot dead because of clan rivalry. She was put into the care of a friend’s mother, but when the friend died suddenly, Makemba was blamed. Despite this triple bereavement and the deep sense of loss she felt, Makemba found herself
ostracised by her community who believed that she was cursed.
Shunned by society and stigmatised by common suspicion, Makemba found herself living on the streets with no one to support her. Like so many other girls in her situation, she was forced into prostitution in order to feed herself and stay alive. Eventually she made enough money to secure her escape and fled to the UK.
Makemba is a highly intelligent young woman but she finds it extremely difficult to understand what has happened to her and why. She constantly questions why she has been through such distressing circumstances, why her parents died, why her friend died, and why she was blamed. The trauma she has endured has led to her being very depressed and in need of on going counselling.
Makemba is like so many people we see – ordinary people who are suffering because of their extraordinary experiences. The biggest obstacles they face in the UK today are a lack of understanding and prejudice, false assumptions that people have brought their problems on themselves. So many find it very hard to overcome this barrier and to access the treatment they so badly require. We meet their needs by offering a structured programme of support and counselling that is tailored to the individual and sensitive to their cultural background and expectations.
But there are so many more people who could benefit from our support. Our Specialist Team operates a three-tiered approach to treatment: looking after physical, mental and practical needs. Members of our team are chosen because of their cultural awareness and sensitivity to people’s backgrounds. We will help them in every way we can to recover and rebuild their lives.
I believe that access to mental health services should be far more widely available to these most vulnerable people. The service we offer at the moment, while effective, is available to only a fraction of those who need it. With more resources we could reach so many more people. Only through your continued and valued support can we ever hope to extend our services to help many more people who are continuing to suffer unnecessarily.
I would like you to think for a moment about how you would be affected by such horrendous events, how you would suffer, and the sort of support you think you would need. Remember, I am talking about people who face such challenges only because of the horrific experiences they have endured. Their daily lives have been torn apart, leaving them traumatised, unwell, and lacking the treatment that will make them better. Please help us to help them recover and start again.
Thank you.
Elena Hage
Bi-Cultural Support Worker and Vulnerable Women’s Project Co-ordinator
The Refugee Council
* Mambeka's real name has been changed to protect her identity
 | | Last year, over a third of people assisted by our Specialist Team had been tortured and were suffering mental and physical trauma as a result. Donate today to help us give them the support they need. |
