I take care of myself to take care of others

In July 2023, the interdisciplinary technical team from the different care modalities of the CRAN Foundation, composed of psychologists, social workers, sociologists, pedagogues, nursing assistants, and nutritionists, completed the first phase of training and mental health counseling. This enabled them to strengthen unconventional care strategies, including activities related to art, culture, play, music, dance, sports, among others, in the care dynamics for the 117 children and adolescents who have been under the foundation's care during this period while their violated rights are being restored. Additionally, this includes 39 adolescents who have been victims of recruitment by illegal armed groups and are in the process of social reintegration, as well as 28 adult caregivers who support these children and adolescents in their processes.

In August 2023, the mental health consultant provided a protocol and strategies for mental health care for children, adolescents, and caregivers. It emphasized the importance of developing skills to manage stress, understanding children's emotions and perspectives, effectively addressing challenging situations, promoting clear and respectful communication, maintaining composure in difficult situations, and managing daily frustrations in a healthy manner.

In September 2023, an institutional space for technical strengthening was established with the aim of promoting a continuous process of updating and enhancing the competencies and capacities of those responsible for ensuring the best possible environment for the temporary care of abused children and adolescents as they return to a loving and caring family. This space is held every 15 days, where mental health counseling will be resumed with the goal of (1) defining the strategy for risk factor prevention from a mental health perspective: a mental and community health approach, and (2) integrating the mental health strategy into CRAN's training plan, identifying healthy lifestyles through behavioral change recognition.

The entire process of strengthening and training is carried out from a competency-based education approach and a problem-based pedagogical strategy, involving participants in reflective, playful, and interpretative activities to promote the development of competencies related to Being, Knowing, and Doing for mental health care. This fosters the exchange of knowledge and encourages the creation of connections.

All this is possible with your help and donation, thank you !