Mental Health in Sudan after war….. Problems and solutions| Sudanow Magazine

Ankara (Sudanow Magazine) Mental health is a key component to overall health and is closely linked to physical health. Mental health plays a pivotal role in an individual's daily life, whether managing stress, interacting with others, or contributing to life in general. According to World Health Organization, it is "a state of well-being in which individual realizes his or her abilities, can cope with normal stresses of life, can work productively and effectively, and is a contributor to his or her community."

)Sudnow magazine( interviewed Lieutenant General Psychiatric Consultant Dr Nur Al-huda Mohammad Al-Shafee , talking on Sudanese society’s mental health , since terrorist Rapid Support Forces militia waged a savage war against Sudanese people, committing all kinds of psychological abuses, including displacement and torture, and physical violations, including murder and rape, during that period, that impacted all sectors of Sudanese society. On talking about the psychological state of Sudanese society from the outbreak of the war until now, it filled with sad and shocking stories. What has affected you most psychologically?. Dr Nur Al-huda said,’’ Thanks for these opportunity in these critical situation in life of all Sudanese due to what they went through of fear, anxiety and tension . As all Sudanese who were there suffered from war horrors and how they went through all kinds of fear, panic, and feelings of insecurity, leaving home, family, and friends, and going out into the unknown without any evidence or vision for tomorrow, just where to find security ?. these was the condition. A glimmer of hope appeared that peace had arrived and the time had come to return home. Despite the videos they had watched depicting the extent of the destruction and the loss of everything they owned, the path back was hope, and stability in what remained was hope. Their dreams revolved around how to return, and that their presence in their homeland represented a cure for all the suffering they were now experiencing.

Mental Health face number of shocks during and after war replaying of people different from one to another, what Post–Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Signs and Symptoms and how to overcome its effects? Dr Nur answered ‘’ when any person is exposed to a violent psychological shock reaction varies from one person to another, and also the temporary reaction to the occurrence of the psychological shock, whether it was an event that he was exposed to or was at the scene of the accident and saw that tragedy before his eyes, and his feelings were shaken by it, its effect at that moment will be either fainting, extreme fear, not showing any effect, or what is called temporary numbness, and this requires temporary intervention in evacuating the injured person from the scene of the event and trying to calm him down and instill a sense of security and finding him a place to stay for a period of no less than three days until he recovers from the effects of the shock. Then begin to find solutions to such case that may continue for one or two weeks. After passing one month or more , we are in heart of events and war horrors and effects are around And its psychological effects that go beyond post-traumatic stress disorder to the individual’s attempt to find solutions to the symptoms he suffers from, the most important of which is ruminating over the violent scenes he experienced. emotional outbursts and violence in situations that do not warrant the reaction that resulted in that simple incident. The tendency toward solutions such as isolation and withdrawal. We must avoid everything possible that might evoke memories of the incidents the person has experienced. Likewise, drinking or addiction of alcohol and drugs often leads the person to a state of severe depression. Then he began to think that only way to get ride of his problems is suicide and her come great danger specially to ten- agers who need to support and treatment in such cases of psychological support to overpass that. We should work among youth and ten-agers particular refugees and displaced and those who still in their homes while hering sounds of guns and bombing every moment. Everyone needs psychological intervention to varying degrees, but the urgent need for psychological intervention is the basis for healing, recovery, entering the construction phase, and overcoming the ordeal.

Physical violations such as beating, torture and rape cannot be overcome psychologically, even after some time. What is your comment?’’ these kinds of physical abuses never forgot or overcame via change place or passing time. Ruminating and interacting with sadly memories effect badly on normal contacting with society , besides victim( injured) try to find some treatment make him forget what happened through aloneness or isolate himself away from all or anything may restore these miserable memories. Also he may turn to use medicines and tranquilizers and alcohol. Or to use drugs and If he becomes hopeless and shows symptoms of depression and may attempt suicide.

Woman is pillar of the home and who gather her family together in all circumstances, especially in crises , as she face serious trouble since beginning of war which caused severe economic catastrophe and increased deeply because of weakness or disappearance of sources of income, this has been reflected on all family members... What is the best solution to such challenges. Dr Nur pointed out ‘’ it is clear, in all regions where they displaced searching for security, but they lost their work or any source of income. Suddenly they lost everything. Relatives and friends had supported them to face requirements of the daily life. But Sorrow and regret fills the hearts, and the need is concealed by the richness of the soul, proud of identity and patience. There was need to food, medicine, and education. Sudanese woman was symbol of persistence and strengthen to find chance of work and supporting her family. And she do it and became the financial supporter ton most families.

Now groups of returnees to the homeland continue, and destruction that has occurred is no secret to anyone. However, if we want to do something or offer a helping hand to society at this stage, it is not only psychological support, but rather an integrated set of solutions. Returning and settling down is not just a decision, but rather an integrated plan that contains all the components of life, the most important of which is acceptance and overcoming the past, contentment with the present, and planning with conviction and perseverance for a near future that the individual accepts and a vision for a better future .

Moving to proposal of solutions. Large groups of returnees to homeland rapidly and all of us know clearly amounts of destruction and desolation, " what is your advise?’’ Dr Nur answered’’ it is pivotal and positive stage in history of our nation and it is necessary to explain that if we want to support the society in these period, psychological support only is not enough, but a comprehensive group od solutions. Returning and stability not a decision but comprehensive plan include all essentials of life. the most important of which are accepting and overcoming the past, being satisfied with current conditions and to plan actively for nearly future which could be acceptable to individual and a vision for better future.

On conclusion, Dr Nur – Al Huda spoke to (Sudanow) about ‘’ Proposal for Psychological Assistance for Sudanese Refugees and Residents to Embassy of the Republic of Sudan in Egypt’’ on saying’’ some news told on crimes of killing among Sudanese youth and attempts of suicide via jumping from high buildings. I think that it is necessary to find support and Psychological Assistance for those sectors of Sudanese people in Egypt. Then I submitted a paper advised to open a ‘’voluntary Psychiatric Clinic’’ to treat Post- Traumatic stress disorder. The Proposal found acceptance for the Ambassador who immediately recommended to be transferred to Medical Attaché in the Embassy . Now the proposal became a project . I hope implementing come soon.

Current Affairs

Authorities Continue Efforts to Strengthen Stability Khartoum: The Return of State Authority

How a Different AI War is waged against the Sudan

Sudan and the UAE: How Can a Settlement Be Built Without Rewarding War or Reproducing It?