Mental Health First Aid in Disasters ChinaAustralia Training Program

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Mental Health First Aid in DisastersChina-Aust
ralia Training Program

• 10 - 13 July 2008, Chengdu, China

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Program Background

• Less than four weeks after the Sichuan disaster,
  AusAID agreed to support a national training
  program for psychiatrists, psychologists,
  cousellors and volunteers to provide
  psycho-social first aid to disaster victims
• Peking University and AAMH collaborated to
  develop the first multi-disciplinary training
  program on this subject for China

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Key organisations involved in planning and
delivery

• China
• Peking University Centre of Clinical Psychology
• National Centre of Mental health, China CDC
• Shanghai Mental Health Centre
• Sichuan Health Bureau
• Sichuan Huaxi Hospital
• Hope China

• Australia
• AusAID
• Asia-Australia Mental Health
• University of Western Sydney
• Department of Health, Northern Territory
• Australia Red Cross

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Program Participants

• Represented all provinces (except Tibet)
• Total 260
• Aged between 19-56
• Medical Doctors142
• -Experienced in psychosocial first aid at the
  frontline 48.59
• -Trained 4.23
• Volunteers 118
• -Experienced in psychosocial first aid at the
  frontline 49.57 --Basic Counseling
  training4.27

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The Australian team

• Professor Beverley Raphael-University of Western
  Sydney and ANU
• Dr Andrew Coghlan - Australian Red Cross
• Dr Robert Parker-NT Health
• Assoc Prof Chee Ng (AAMH)
• Julia Fraser(AAMH)
• Ms Yue Li (AAMH)

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Opening Ceremony
Choir formed by mental health professionals and
volunteers from across China
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Assoc Prof Chee Ngs speech on behalf of
Australian faculty

• The devastation of the earthquake that shook
  this province on 12th May will always be
  remembered. But the horror also brought a rare
  opportunity for all of us to rethink what really
  matters, to reach out to other humans who are
  suffering. People across China have responded
  with one heart. And people overseas, as far as
  Australia are moved to make a contribution..
  On behalf of my Australian colleagues we thank
  you for allowing us to witness and play a small
  part in helping to develop a national expert team
  in psychological crisis intervention and
  management in disaster. We are deeply honoured
  and privileged to be here over the next few
  days\

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The Program
Small Groups
Role Play
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Lectures
The Program
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The Program
Members of the Chinese and Australian Faculties
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Meetings Thursday 10th July

• Mr Bai Huqun Deputy Director General, Bureau of
  Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of
  Health. Represented Ministry of Health in Sichuan
  after 5.12 earthquake and responsible for MoH
  response to earthquake
• Mr Cai Liqun, Director Department of Community
  and Chronic Disease(DCCD), China Center of
  Disease Prevention and Control, Ministry of
  Health. DCCD is responsible for mental health
  policy and programming for China

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Earthquake Devastation
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Pengzhou Refugee Camp
Northwest of Chengdu, 30km from Chengdu
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The Australian team at the camp
A Pengzhou family invited Prof Raphael and A/Prof
Ng to visit their home
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Children at the camp
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Qiang ethnic minority culture survivor
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Chinese faculty reflection

• This training is supported not only by central
  government, but also by key professionals from
  China and Australia.
• Australian team open their hearts to Chinese
  colleagues, make them feel very warm hearted,
  they give everything of themselves, they care
  about what we need.
• After the disaster, I have been involved in many
  training programs from foreign countries, but
  this one has been the best. It has been a
  combination of nation wide planning advice and
  very practical steps, including role playing
• - Prof Fang Xin
• Centre for Psychological Counseling and
  Psychotherapy, Peking University

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Australian Faculty Reflection

• A truly collaborative program China and
  Australia developed and delivered as partners
• Multi-disciplinary teams can work for China
• Volunteering an emerging and positive trend for
  China An untapped army of willing community
  workers that needs careful nurturing and support
• Leadership programs for multi-disciplinary mental
  health disaster response teams required as follow
  ups
• The bravery of the survivors overwhelming and
  humbling

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The road ahead

• This is only the first steps for Sichuan and
  China
• Mental health issues will continue to emerge and
  will need to be addressed urgently in Sichuan
  over the next few months
• For example, Qiang ethnic minority culture is
  fragile and in danger of extinction
• Also recovery may be set back if economic
  conditions in the province slow

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Our shared dream for the future

• China-Australia Centre for Mental Health
• Resources to build community support
• Training for professionals and volunteers
• Research
• Counseling Support