Mental Health Program
At CCT's homes we have a comprehensive and effective program in place catering to all the physical heath requirements of our children, but their physical health is really only one part of the equation. To enable us to make a true intervention in these children's lives it is essential that we also cater to their mental health needs.
To discover the best way to establish an effective mental health program we sought the help of a consultant, a clinical psychologist, who is based in the UK. The consultant also had access to further advice from two senior clinical psychologists.
The consultant found that, while the children at CCT are now being provided with a secure home, they displayed behaviours consistent with experiences of past trauma and disrupted attachment. Many of the children at CCT have not had the opportunity to experience a secure attachment before arriving at CCT and have already begun to form a negative view of themselves and others. They have also learned a limited set of behaviours for getting their needs met.
Rather than specific interventions or one-to-one counselling, (as practiced in a Western model), we are working to implement the House Model of parenting, making adaptations where necessary so that we remain sensitive to the traditional Khmer culture. The foundations of the House Model depend on creating a base in which children feel safe, loved, and secure enough to explore their world. A positive family atmosphere is cultivated to give the children a strong sense of belonging. This in turn will help them develop control of their emotions, their behaviour and the ability to ask for help when it's needed. In essence we aim to enhance their self-esteem.
This period of consultancy proved to be very successful in providing a holistic approach to the health care of CCT's children. However, it is has made us aware that this will be a long process which requires much more training of our staff. We are seeking funding to be able to further develop this project. The consultant has expressed keen interest in returning to CCT for a longer period of time to help us achieve these goals.
If you are interested in supporting this project, please contact us for more information.