Breaking the Silence

In Democratic Republic of Congo, rape has become a routine weapon of war - but the country has little or no treatment for those with mental health issues resulting from sexual assault. A method of group therapy designed for victims of trauma is helping survivors of sexual violence, enabling women to overcome the fear and shame to rebuild some semblance of normalcy, and a path forward.

The Neem Foundation brings intensive counseling and 1-on-1 therapy to survivors who escaped the horrific violence of Boko Haram, a terrorist group in northeastern Nigeria. With months of aid and tough conversations, the organization attempts to reunite women and children who fled the violence with their families, many of whom shun the Boko Haram escapees.

Millions of Americans suffer form mental health problems every year, and accessing care can be daunting, difficult, and expensive. A Slack channel, called 18percent, allows online users to anonymously access a message board to discuss their mental health problems and draw on support from people suffering from similar issues. This is part of a new trend in mental health care that utilizes technology to break down the barriers that many face when seeking help.

In Ashland, Oregon, the police department has launched a program that better serves sexual assault survivors by putting them at the center. The program, called You Have Options, considers the challenges that survivors face and works to help them through the reporting process, including letting them report anonymously. In its first year, You Have Options saw a 106% increase in sexual assault reporting and departments across the United States are now seeking to implement it.

Central City Neighborhood Partners developed culturally-tailored "healing programs" to address mental health challenges in the Latine community. The program offers Zumba classes, art therapy, sewing circles, gardening, and women's healing circles, integrating mental health care into everyday community activities rather than isolating it in clinical settings. The approach builds on family and community values and provides services in colloquial Spanish, indigenous languages like K'iche', and Korean to meet the linguistic needs of residents.

At Mental Health Swims, volunteer hosts organize meetups at the beach, lakes, rivers, or outdoor pools, encouraging people to get together for a swim and enjoy the benefits of a dip in cold water. Beyond improving well-being, the group also focuses on social connections in a safe space, as participants often connect with each other to talk about what might be bothering them, helping increase social interaction in an age where it’s sorely needed.

Boys Without Borders provides boys who experienced sexual abuse with a support system and educational resources to help them overcome social and mental health issues they may be facing. With the group’s 65 student volunteers, they have helped more than 2,500 boys since launching in 2020.

Hope Center offers free medical services, including psychosocial and counseling services, for victims of sexual and gender-based violence. The Center also collaborates with the legal system to work to achieve justice for survivors.

In New Hampshire, a healing and bonding program is offering veterans and first responders experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder ways to cope with their stressors. From social interactions to equine therapy, participants have reported that the program has had a positive impact on their wellbeing.

To help veterans struggling to overcome post-traumatic stress disorder, the Phoenix VA Health Care System has started using sports and outdoor recreation as a means of therapy. Although it does not replace medications or act as a cure-all, this practice has been shown to reduce symptoms and can lead to a reduction in medications.