The Psychosocial Aspects of a Deadly Epidemic: What Ebola Has Taught Us about Holistic Healing (Practical and Applied Psychology)

"Edited by a clinical psychologist who has been on the ground helping to develop psychosocial support for Ebola survivors in one of the hardest-hit regions of West Africa, this book explains the devastating emotional aspects of the epidemic and its impact on survivors and the population in West Africa, families in the diaspora, and people in the United States and other countries. It also describes lessons learned from past epidemics like HIV/AIDS and SARS, and valuable approaches to healing from future epidemics. While the devastating Ebola epidemic has been contained, the effects of this outbreak--referred to by the World Health Organization as "the most severe acute public health emergency seen in modern times"--Have wreaked a tremendous emotional toll on the populations of West Africa as well as on families and survivors worldwide. This groundbreaking book covers the psychosocial needs, programs, and policies related to the Ebola epidemic and examines broader lessons of the outbreak, such as changes in the ways in which healing from future epidemics can be handled. Edited by Judy Kuriansky, PhD, a noted clinical psychologist and United Nations NGO representative with extensive experience helping after disasters worldwide, and direct experience gained from being "on the ground" in West Africa in the midst of the epidemic, this book identifies and explains universal psychological factors at play in all such crises. It debunks myths regarding Ebola and describes the resulting psychological and social harm caused by the epidemic. The chapters cover overarching emotional issues and problems as well as the long-term impact on at-risk groups, such as children, women, and health workers; the impact of emotional issues on social and economic life; responses of government officials, media, and various aid organizations; and solutions being offered by groups worldwide, including service and humanitarian organizations, politicians, policymakers, and public health education groups."--Publisher's description Introduction : from awareness to action : psychosocial support and holistic healing in the fight against ebola and other epidemics / Judy Kuriansky A model for psychosocial support in emergency epidemics : an adjunct to existing guidelines based on feedback from locals and responders / Carmen Valle Holistic intervention : a community association for psychosocial services facing ebola in Sierra Leone / Edward Bockarie Mental health and psychosocial support for children in the ebola epidemic : UNICEF Child Protection / Susan Bissell Women in the ebola crisis : response and recommendations from UN Women / Daniel Seymour Cultural competence in the time of ebola / Mohammed Nurhussein Survivors of ebola : shift from stigma to hero / Mariama Jalloh and Judy Kuriansky The impact and trauma for health care workers facing the ebola epidemic / Nira Shah and Judy Kuriansky Poverty and economics in the wake of ebola : an escalated strain on psychosocial coping / Sarah Netter and Judy Kuriansky Tears that never dry : personal observations on the emotional tragedy of the ebola epidemic and lessons learned / Joseph Jimmy Sankaituah Ebola : our story / Sosthène Nsimba and Ritah Nyembo Children and young mothers facing the ebola epidemic in Liberia / MacDella Cooper The diaspora reacts to the ebola virus crisis : emotions and actions / Morlai Kamara Thrust into the spotlight : Liberian immigrants dealing with ebola and other stigmas / Bernadette Ludwig Psychosocial care for ebola patients : the response of Doctors without Borders/Médecins sans frontières / Ella Watson-Stryker Children and ebola : a model resilience and empowerment training and workshop / Judy Kuriansky, Yotem Polizer, and Joel Zinsou Supporting a public education response to stem the panic and spread of ebola : help for the national ebola helpline operators / Diddy Mymin Kahn, Jeffrey Bulanda, and Yeniva Sisay-Sogbeh Psychosocial support for a burial team : help for young men helping their country / Judy Kuriansky Psychological trauma as a fundamental factor hindering containment of the ebola virus : workshops for professionals and paraprofessionals / Sheri Oz Combating stigma and fear : applying psychosocial lessons learned from the HIV epidemic and SARS to the current ebola crisis / Miriam Y. Vega The psychosocial and interpersonal impact of the SARS epidemic on Chinese health professionals : implications for epidemics including ebola / Chan Kit Ling, Chau Wai Wai, Judy Kuriansky, Joel C. Zinsou, Janet Leung, and Sookyong Kim Combating ebola through public enlightenment and a concerted government work plan : the case of Nigeria / Cyprian Heen Awareness and education about ebola through public health campaigns / Rebeka Ndinda Ngewa and Judy Kuriansky The United Nations and psychology NGOs respond to ebola / Judy Kuriansky Integrating psychosocial and mental health principles into policy and planning for the prevention and management of epidemics and disasters : rationale, review, and recommendations for the global agenda / Corann Okorodudu and Judy Kuriansky. Cover Title Page Dedication Copyright Foreword: For the Betterment of All Acknowledgments Contents 1: Introduction: From Awareness to Action: Psychosocial Support, Holistic Healing, and Lessons Learned in the Fight against Ebola and Other Epidemics Part I: Models and Principles of Psychosocial Support and Holistic Healing 2: A Model for Psychosocial Support in Emergency Epidemics: An Adjunct to Existing Guidelines Based on Testimonies from Locals and Responders 3: Holistic Intervention: A Community Association for Psychosocial Services Facing Ebola in Sierra Leone 4: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Children in the Ebola Epidemic: UNICEF Child Protection 5: Women in the Ebola Crisis: Response and Recommendations from UN Women 6: Cultural Competence in the Time of Ebola Part II: Effects of the Epidemic on the People 7: Survivors of Ebola: A Psychosocial Shift from Stigma to Hero 8: The Impact and Trauma for Healthcare Workers Facing the Ebola Epidemic 9: Poverty and Economics in the Wake of Ebola: An Escalated Strain on Psychosocial Coping 10: Tears That Never Dry: Personal Observations about the Emotional Tragedy of the Ebola Epidemic and Lessons Learned 11: Ebola: Our Story 12: Children, Orphans, and Young Mothers Facing the Ebola Epidemic: One Liberian Woman’s Efforts to Help 13: The Diaspora Reacts to the Ebola Crisis in Sierra Leone and West Africa: Emotions and Actions 14: Thrust into the Spotlight: Liberian Immigrants Dealing with Ebola and Other Stigmas Part III: Programs and Approaches to Help 15: Psychosocial Care for Ebola Patients: The Response of Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières 16: Children and Ebola: A Model Resilience and Empowerment Training and Workshop 17: Supporting a Public Education Response to Stem the Panic and Spread of Ebola: Help for the National Ebola Helpline Operators 18: Psychosocial Support for a Burial Team: Gender Issues and Help for Young Men Helping Their Country 19: Psychological Trauma as a Fundamental Factor Hindering Containment of the Ebola Virus: Workshops for Professionals and Paraprofessionals Part IV: Lessons Learned from Other Epidemics 20: Combating Stigma and Fear: Applying Psychosocial Lessons Learned from the HIV Epidemic and SARS to the Current Ebola Crisis 21: The Psychosocial and Interpersonal Impact of the SARS Epidemic on Chinese Health Professionals: Implications for Epidemics Including Ebola Part V: Public Awareness, International Response, and Policy Recommendations 22: Combating Ebola through Public Enlightenment and Concerted Government Action: The Case of Nigeria 23: Awareness and Education about Ebola through Public Health Campaigns 24: The UN Community, Civil Society, and Psychology NGOs Respond to Ebola: Partners in Action 25: Integrating Psychosocial and Mental Health Principles into Policy and Planning for the Prevention and Management of Epidemics and Disasters Epilogue: Building Back Better in Ebola-Free Times Judy Kuriansky About the Editor About the Contributors Index About the Series About the Series Editor