This is a continuation of a previously posted article. Click here to read the first part of this article.
Types of Mental Health Support for Survivors
- Counseling and Psychotherapy: Therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprecessing (EMDR) can help survivors process traumatic experiences, manage symptoms, and develop coping strategies.
- Peer Support Groups: Connecting survivors with others who have the similar experiences can reduce the feeling of isolation, develop trust, and foster mutual healing.
- Crisis Intervention and Emergency Support: Immediate psychological support is crucial for survivors’ recovery process. When symptons such as acute distress, suicidal thoughts, or panic attacks arise, trained crisis counselors can provide timely assistance.
- Integrated Medical and Mental Health Care: Team work among medical professionals, mental health experts, and social workers can ensure the all-around recovery for survivors.
Challenges Of Providing Mental Health Support
Lack of awareness of available services and limited specialized resources at certain regions are a couple of the reasons why the survivors are not receiving treatments. Lack of insurance or financial resources can also be a crucial factor to stop survivors from looking for support.
Stigma and shame of being a survivor can prevent them from seeking help. Insecurity feeling due to fear of traffickers can lead to mistrust of professionals. Language and cultural barriers can hinder the effectiveness of the treatments.
Available Resources/Programs
- National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888): Connects survivors to local services, including mental health care.
- The Polaris Project: Offers survivor-centered services and referrals nationwide.
- Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST): Based in Los Angeles, CAST provides intensive case management, including trauma counseling and legal aid.
- Mental Health America (MHA): Offers information and resources, including trauma-focused therapy providers.
- Local Anti-Trafficking Coalitions
- Faith-Based and Cultural Organizations
- Survivor-Led Initiatives
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
We have covered several important aspects regarding mental health issues and support for human trafficking survivors. For all the problems inflicted by the traffickers, this article only touched upon the surface of what a survivor has been through. It takes tremendous amounts of resources, time, and genuine care to heal and help one survivor to feel “normal” again and integrate back into society. It is a long and complex journey.
At New Hope Foundation International, we believe that prevention is better than cure. Although essential support services are also crucial to provide immediate needs for survivors, the preventive measures can save one person at a time away from experiencing the struggles, the pains, and the traumas.
For a survivor, the damages are permanent and irreversible in their memories. On the other hand, for someone with the knowledge of how human trafficking works, the awareness empowers them to recognize and reject the traffickers’ enticement. Furthermore, they can spread awareness to protect their loved ones from harm.
Call To Action
To see how donations help us continue our efforts in fighting human trafficking through prevention, click here.
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