Psychosocial Empowerment: A Continued Need
Some may assume that after a year of psychosocial empowerment training, the need for such workshops diminishes. However, our experience as facilitators working in a rural part of Morocco tells a different story.
The lingering effects of the traumatic September 2023 earthquake upon High Atlas mountain communities, combined with the broader socio-economic challenges many participants face, mean that the demand for psychosocial support remains high. For example, one participant shared her fear of returning to her home, preferring to stay in the temporary tent, due to her continued trauma. Another one shared that “I miss being able to lean on a wall, because my house collapsed, and now I’m living in a tent.”
This shared sentiment highlights the long-term impact of such crises and the need for ongoing support. This means also that mental health is a continuous process rather than a one-off activity.
The workshops have also uncovered deeper psychological issues beyond earthquake-related trauma. During meditative practices, several participants fainted, not only due to recent traumatic events but also because of pre-existing conditions such as anxiety and unresolved trauma. “The challenges in our lives were already significant before the earthquake, but we were managing. The earthquake didn’t just bring destruction; it unearthed all of those buried struggles and drained the strength we had to confront them,” one participant shared.
This further highlighted the necessity of not only continuing these workshops but also ensuring that individuals with deeper psychological needs are referred to professional counseling centers and one-on-one therapy sessions. Collaborating with local health facilities and mental health professionals helps the High Atlas Foundation ensure that participants receive the medical and psychological care they need.
According to data from Hiba Taouali, a psychologist from Project Hope, 50 women out of a total of 431 participants reported experiencing a range of physical and mental health issues following the earthquake. This represents approximately 10% of the total number of women surveyed. Almost 40% of individuals highlighted significant disruptions to their sleep patterns, which persisted for approximately two months. One of the participants described keeping the light on throughout the night.
At the end of each psychosocial empowerment workshop, participants are afforded the opportunity to openly share their needs, aspirations, and visions for their future, with the understanding that they will be met with encouragement and support. This reflective process constitutes a pivotal element of the healing journey, as it not only permits individuals to articulate their aspirations but also facilitates the formulation of a vision for a life beyond their traumatic experiences. The objective is to provide support to participants to gradually let go of the painful experiences they have endured and transition towards a "new normal"—a life where they can regain control, rediscover purpose, and foster a sense of hope.
The ultimate objective of these workshops extends beyond the mere alleviation of the emotional and psychological wounds caused by trauma. While the process of healing from trauma is of the utmost importance, these workshops have a more ambitious objective: to facilitate healing through action and work and fill their spare time.
By encouraging participants to take practical steps toward building a stable and fulfilling life, the workshops facilitate the translation of emotional recovery into tangible outcomes, such as economic empowerment. This is where the integration of psychosocial support with economic opportunity becomes especially crucial.
