Proposal for a special interest group in mental health aspects of working in areas of violent political conflict

Procedure for establishing a special interest group:

1. 1. Any Member wishing to establish a special interest group shall write to the Registrar with relevant details.

2. 2. The Registrar shall forward the application to the Central Executive Committee.

3. 3. If the Central Executive Committee approves the principle of establishing such a special interest group then it will direct the Registrar to place a notice in the Bulletin, or its equivalent, asking members of the College to write in support of such a Group and expressing willingness to participate in its activities.

4. 4. If at least 120 members reply to this notice within 4 months of publication, then the Central Executive Committee shall formally approve the establishment of the special interest group.

In accordance with this procedure, the Central Executive Committee has approved a proposal for the establishment of a special interest group in mental health aspects of working in areas of violent political conflict.

Background to the proposal from Professor Rachel Jenkins and Lord Alderdice

Three-quarters of countries have had one or more state-based armed conflicts within their own borders since 1946, and the UK has been engaged in an armed conflict at home or abroad for 4 years out of every 5 since 1946.

Conflict has many consequences for clients with pre-existing mental illness and learning disabilities, and it also causes additional burden of mental disorders in people who were previously well. For people with pre-existing disorders, these may be aggravated by the additional grave stress and loss of former family and community supports, loss of access to care and medication, and, for many, often starvation. For people who were previously well, there is an increased rate of new disorders of depression and anxiety, psychosis and post-traumatic stress disorder. People with mental disorders and learning disabilities are also vulnerable to being used in a conflict as combatants, either deployed by states or by rebel groups. The psychological aftermath for some can be long lasting and severe, and many psychiatrists are involved in working with affected families and children.

The College has members who have come from a conflict area; work in one or more conflict areas, contributing to programmes for refugees and internally displaced people; are involved in conflict resolution processes, developing peaceful alternatives to conflict (including working with former child soldiers and former combatants, as well as with civilians), capacity building the mental health system (including aspects of health, social welfare, employment, education and criminal justice systems in countries vulnerable to conflict); and who are involved in the mental healthcare of state-based armed forces.

The special interest group would aim to share experience, expertise and instruments in working in fragile states, conflict and post-conflict areas for the improvement of mental health, its contributions to education, employment and community cohesion, as well as for the protection of the human rights of people with mental illness.

Members are invited to write in support of this group and express willingness to participate in its activities. Interested Members should write to the Registrar, care of Miss Sue Duncan at the College. If 120 members reply to this notice within 4 months of publication, then the Central Executive Committee shall formally approve the establishment of this special interest group.