Improving Mental Health in Forcibly Displaced Populations

This project aims to improve mental health support for Venezuelan migrants living in Lima, Peru, who often face challenges like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Since 2015, millions of Venezuelans have fled their country due to a severe humanitarian crisis, including extreme inflation, food shortages, and political unrest. Many of these individuals now live in Peru, where they struggle to access mental health services.

A new type of intervention that is both evidence-based and culturally adapted to meet the specific needs of Venezuelan migrants is the focus of this research. The intervention is designed to be delivered by trained lay providers-people from the community who have received special training but are not professional mental health workers. The intervention consists of 6 to 12 weekly online sessions, each lasting about an hour. These sessions will cover various therapeutic techniques, including cognitive restructuring (changing negative thought patterns), behavioral activation (encouraging positive activities), and emotional regulation (managing feelings). The sessions will be conducted remotely, allowing participants to join from the comfort of their homes.This approach is intended to make mental health care more accessible and relatable for migrants, who may feel more comfortable receiving help from someone who understands their cultural background and experiences.