IBM has invited Dr Kevin Becker, the Director of Institute for Trauma & Crisis at Harvard Medical School and Dr Guy Sapirstein, the Supervising Psychologist of Trauma Center in Aliston Massachusetts to conduct a series of Trauma Training Workshops in Islamabad.
The first workshop started on Thursday (December 8) and held in association with the Ministry of Social Welfare & Special Education. Two Basic and two Advanced Workshops will be run.
Workshops are designed as "Train-the-Trainer" courses to allow those who attend to take the training and material and teach others in managing trauma. Topics include developing training skills, the trauma responses, and children in disasters, psychological support, and skill development for Dealing with traumatised children. The advanced workshop will also cover diagnostics, treatment models, complex trauma in children, and child reaction index.
IBM's trauma specialists spent their first day in Islamabad visiting Pims Hospital, relief camps in Sector H-11, and the Melody Spinal Injury Centre to get first-hand knowledge of the trauma situation.
A manual has been prepared called "Psychological Support for Children Following the Earthquake of October 2005". It is meant for use by medical personnel, social and health workers, teachers, and volunteers. People interested in getting a copy of the manual may send their request by e-mail to IBM at ibm_pakistan@pk.ibm.com.
IBM's Global Crisis Response Team had earlier come to Pakistan in October 2005. They visited Balakot, Muzaffarabad and other earthquake areas and submitted a consultancy report to the Prime Minister. IBM's earthquake relief contribution consists of donation of cash, laptop computers, server hardware, and computers for children ages 4 to 10 in rehabilitation centers, and open-source disaster management software.
Recipients will include the Earthquake Relief Commission, Nadra, the Red Crescent Society, and two NGOs.-PR