Trauma Coping Improves Symptoms of Refugee Children

The Vienna association uses the method "Teaching Recovery Techniques" (TRT) to help people manage symptoms of stress such as nightmares, anxiety, or concentration problems more effectively.

Trauma Coping in Refugee Children "Essential Prerequisite for Learning and Work"

The results from twelve international studies on the TRT method and the evaluation of data from AFYA in Vienna were surprisingly clear, reported lead study author Claudia Wild from the Austrian Institute of Health Technology Assessment (AIHTA). "The evidence is there, and it is remarkably good and strong." "Mental health is an essential prerequisite for learning and work," emphasized AFYA Managing Director Anna Haller to the media representatives.

If children are burdened by trauma, they cannot learn - not even a new language - cannot concentrate, and are constantly tired due to lack of sleep. As trauma therapist and pediatrician Petra Krenn-Maritz further explained, TRT is not about individual therapy. Rather, techniques should be learned "so that there can be peace in the mind." For many affected, the program is sufficient, she said; it also helps to identify those who actually need psychotherapy in the future.

Vienna Association for the Expansion of Trauma Coping in Refugee Children

Managing Director Haller lamented that despite the good experiences with TRT in Vienna schools, the funding for her association's activities is only secured until the end of 2025. And even this does not nearly cover the very high demand. She therefore called for long-term funding security for this offer and an expansion of the program throughout Austria.

The TRT program by AFYA is conducted in schools themselves in small groups over eight sessions, as Haller explained. The target group is children and adolescents between eight and 18 years old. The program is conducted in the native language because "we prefer to talk about what keeps us awake at night in our own language." The association, founded in 2017, has so far reached more than 5,000 children and adolescents with its program.

AFYA health trainer Imad Osman, originally from Syria, reported from his own experience that the traumatized children slowly but surely opened up during the sessions and could talk about their feelings and experiences. A 14-year-old boy told him at the end of the program that he should come back because "when you are here, I feel calm."

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.