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Bosnian American Mental Health AwarenessBAMMHA
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July 9, 2011 All rights reserved by BAMMA
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Bosnia and Herzegovina islocated in Eastern Europe(see yellow color on map)
Currently it is divided intotwo regions: Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina andRepublic of Srpska (for moreinfo see Dayton Agreement 1995)
It is home to three mainreligions, nationalities, andlanguages:
Bosniaks (Islam) Majority in the Federationof Bosnia and Herzegovina
Croats (Catholicism) Minority in Federationof Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Republic of Srpska
Serbs (Serbian Orthodox-Christianity)Majority in Republic of Srpska
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Srebrenica is in theEastern part of Bosniaand Herzegovina, closeto the boarder of Serbia. It belongs tothe Republic of Srpskasince 1995
Until 1995, Srebrenicaand small villages
around it wereprimarily composed of Bosniak peopleIslam/Muslims-people who follow Islam
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During the entiregenocide on Bosniaand Herzegovina(1992-1995),Srebrenica waspromised protectionby the UN.
However, in July of 1995 that was adifferent case.
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W hat took place:Ethnic cleansing byx Mass of boys and
menx
Mass rape of women andfemale childrenx Mass fleeing of women and
female childrenx Mass witness of murder,
mutilation, rape and otherbrutal and violent acts on
loved ones Currently mass graves are found and
dug out Each year on July 11 th there is a
memorial service and funeral for thebodies identified
W hat psychologicaleffects are survivorsleft with?
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These terrors are re-lived each day by survivors of thegenocide
Although many remain functioning adults their
suffering continues Many express that there is no way they can forgive or
forget what happened Right now, most of the survivors reside in other Bosnian
towns where they are considered refugees and aregiven refugee communities to reside in
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Other survivors have made their homes in the W esternpart of Europe, as well as the USA.
There are about 300,000 Bosnian-Americans residing in
the USA Most relocated due to the ethnic cleansing
Movies are made each year about the struggle thesesurvivors go through
Justice has yet to be served
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The most commondefinition of mental healthis something along theseterms:
Mental health is how wethink, feel and act as wecope with life. It also helpsdetermine how we handlestress, relate to others andmake choices. Like physicalhealth, mental health isimportant at every stage of life, from childhood andadolescence throughadulthood.
The psychological effectsof the Srebrenica genocideplay an immense role oneveryday lives of survivors.
Many survivors suffer from:Post Traumatic StressDisorder (PTSD)Depression
AnxietySubstance abuse
x Alcoholismx Drug Abuse And otherPsychosis/Delusions
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According to the NationalInstitute of Mental Health,symptoms of d epressiond epression mayinclude the following:
difficulty concentrating,remembering details, and makingdecisionsfatigue and decreased energyfeelings of guilt, worthlessness,and/or helplessnessloss of interest in activities orhobbies once pleasurable,including sexovereating or appetite losspersistent aches or pains,headaches, cramps, or digestiveproblems that do not ease even
with treatmentpersistent sad, anxious, or"empty" feelingsthoughts of suicide, suicide
attempts
Some anxietyanxiety symptoms:Excessive worry occurringconsistently for over 6 monthsabout a number of everydayactivities or eventsThe person shows signs of x Restlessnessx Feels keyed upx Feels on edgeEasily fatigued- due to worryand anxietyHave difficulty concentrating
IrritableExperience muscle tensionTired due to sleep disturbance
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AlcoholismDrinking alcoholicbeverages to the point
of unconsciousnessNot able to stay awayfrom alcohol becauseyour body demands it
Alcohol dictates your
life
DrugsStreet drugs:x Heroinx Cocaine
x Crackx Marijuanax Ecstasyx Meth
Prescription drugs:x Pain meds
x Roxys and Oxysx Many others
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Do an online searchfor a counselor ortherapist whospecializes in whatyou are looking for
A counselor or atherapist is a trainedindividual with atleast a Mastersdegree
Search engines suchas:
www.psychologytoday.com
www.google.com www.therevive.com
For more information
on therapist clickhere
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W hen you call an agency orprivate practice
You will supply your contactinformation such as name,address, and phone number
You will be asked what thereason for your phone call isx A simple statement of I need to
speak to someone about isenough
Once the referral is taken you will set up an appointment just like you do when you go
to your medical doctor W hen you arrive there thetherapist will explain theirprocedures and how they
work through a documentcalled Informed Consent
ALL THERAPY isCOMPLETELY CONFIDENTIALand no one will ever haveaccess to your information unless YOU want them to
The therapist is bound by lawto keep your informationprivate
Sessions occur every week orevery other week for about 60minutes. This all depends onthe therapist and your needs
You will go there to talk andget help for your mentalhealth which is consideredto be more important thanyour physical health by somemedical professionals.
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For more in depthinformation aboutmental health and theBosnian-Americanpopulation pleasecontact:
BAMMHA
For information abouthow to get in touch
with a therapist and if you are interested inreceiving counselingplease contact:
Path of Purpose
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July 11, 1995Please spread the word and help everyone in need
Bosnian American Muslim Mental Health Awareness Srebrenica Presentation
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