Srebrenica Massacre: Mental Health Effects

8/6/2019 Srebrenica Massacre: Mental Health Effects

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PRESENTED BY

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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Srebrenica Massacre: Mental Health Effects

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