Here’s something a bit different from our usual output. An actual interview with a health professional rather than ranty opinion pieces and caption competitions (not that there’s anything wrong with ranty opinion pieces and caption competitions…*ahem*)
The public perception of Medecins Sans Frontieres is of providing frontline medical relief in disaster zones, but they also provide a variety of mental health and psychosocial projects in over 40 countries, including Chechnya, Sudan (Darfur) and Iraq. We spoke to Kaz de Jong, who is a mental health advisor for MSF’s public health department.
How did you come to work for MSF?
I just walked in, and I stayed. It’s as simple and beautiful as that. I thought I wanted to do something with stress, so I applied to MSF. Before coming to MSF my background was as a physiotherapist and clinical psychologist.
What sort of mental health services do MSF provide?
We have been doing mental health projects for the past 18 years. We started in Gaza in 1990. Our general focus is on trauma due to violence. If there is a natural disaster such as in Myanmar then obviously our focus is on those natural disasters.
Most of our interventions are focused on the stress-related consequences of violence and disasters, and the adaptation problems that can arise. For stress and adaptation problems, we mainly work by offering supervision to local counsellors. For psychiatric problems we can offer medical support.
What roles do you have for mental health nurses?
It depends on the type of project and the background of the psychiatric nurse. It often includes a lot of crisis work and counselling. We need them to supervise local counsellors, and to support doctors who are prescribing medication.
What skills and personal qualities are you looking for from a mental health nurse?
Specifically we need skills in counselling and psychotherapy. You should be able to work abroad and with different cultures. You need to understand that you will often work in conflict-related circumstances, and to work and live in teams. You don’t have a private house somewhere.
What can a nurse expect to gain from working for MSF?
Experience of working with people in cross-cultural settings, giving you a profound insight into those cultures. You’re helping people to go through a very difficult period and that can give a great sense of personal satisfaction.
How long would a nurse work for MSF?
They usually go off for 9 months, sometimes a year. In emergencies it can be shorter.
What advice would you give to any nurse considering working for MSF?
Do it! Experience it and think well about whether you are able and willing to do this. You can always consider after one mission whether you want to do another. Most people who do it say it has matured them and the experience has stayed with them for life.
For more information about volunteering for Medecins Sans Frontieres, go here.
Incidentally, if any other organisations reading this would like to be featured on Mental Nurse (non-profit organisations only – profitmaking companies can pay for their own bloody advertising) then feel free to e-mail me at zarathustra at mentalnurse dot org dot uk
Recent Comments