Train Communities in Trauma Informed Care

In Nepal, talking about mental health and violence is taboo. Yet, rates of gender based violence, physical punishment in schools, and suicide (especially among women and girls) continues to soar.

Healing Together Nepal is working to shift stigma and cultural norms through a mult-tiered approach.  We work on the ground, training community leaders (both teachers and parents) to end cycles of violence.  We work with students to develop social and emotional literacy so we can break stigma and silence at an early age.  And, we engage in broader public education and advocacy, openly talking about the link between mental health and violence. 

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This past January, the team completed four trauma informed care workshops with 126 teachers and community leaders who support over 15,000 youth in the Panauti District. Topics included the interpersonal, collective, and generational impact of trauma, emotional first aid, peer support, and breaking cycles of violence.

Participants expressed the power of what they learned:

 "This training wasn't just for others, it is for myself."

"I learned how to listen, reassure, and maintain confidentiality.... We should help the child find a solution, rather than tell them what to do."

"I learned that beating is not only violence -- teasing, scolding, ignoring is also violence."

"The Emotional First Aid lesson was the most effective."

"I can also use these skills to address drug addiction in my workplace. Similarly, the trauma caused by caste-based discrimination in society can be healed."

This training is part of a 3-year pilot project to both train and implement trauma-informed care programs within the same community.  We look forward to continued work with these community leaders, including measuring the longer term impact about how our training is impacting youth and families.

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As part of our education and advocacy efforts, Suresh and Sarita continue to produce a regular podcast -- the first of its kind in Nepal, where they talk about mental health and violence openly, covering topics such as ending corporal punishment in homes and schools and the trauma of divorce and family separation.

Podcasts are posted across multiple social media channels and have received thousands of views, engagements, and shares. 

We are proud of our team for breaking stigma and silence about mental health, thanks to your support and advocacy. 

Check out more real time updates on our Facebook page at:  www.facebook.com/HealingTogetherNepal