Humanitarian Wellness Network Resources
Welcome to the network partner resources page!
The following resources are donated by the humanitarian wellness network volunteers for the benefit of the wellness network partners. We hope that these resources will be helpful for everyone involved in social justice issues and humanitarian work! Please note that while these resources may be offered by train professionals, they are not intended to replace consistent, in-person care from a specialist. If you or a member of your team is experiencing severe mental or emotional distress, we encourage you to seek support from a health professional in your immediate context.
Please note that all of the sessions you access through this site will remain confidential and free during and after your placement.
All individuals and organizations accessing these resources are expected to adhere to the Wellness Network User Agreement.
Mental Health Support
Human Rights & Social Responsibility Committee
Most field volunteers face tough challenges in having to adjust and integrate into a new stressful context as well as to readapting to normal life when leaving a field team. We believe that every volunteer who joins a field has the right to professional psycho-social mental health support regardless of the project they will be joining or the support provided by their country group. This program provides someone you can turn to for support and give you the space to debrief, express yourself freely in a space that is objective and confidential. The program consists of therapists who are members of EAGT who are willing to listen to you in one-on-one sessions. Gestalt Therapy is a holistic, humanistic therapeutic approach, which offers support creatively and aesthetically promotes awareness, presence and growth, to learn or discover skills that will help the client to deal with personal difficulties, learn to take responsibility for one’s own feelings and decisions.
Languages: English, French, Italian, German, Dutch, Polish, Spanish
What they offer: 5 sessions per person, in a number of different languages. Volunteers can contact a therapist from the moment they start working in the field till six months after.
To book a call: Email Alessio Zambon at lexzambon@gmail.com and a therapist will be provided according to language preference. You can expect to speak to someone from the HRSRC within 2,3 days.
I am an integrative music psychotherapist and humanitarian aid worker with international and intercultural experience. My specialization lies in trauma-informed, community-based mental health and psychosocial support services (CB MHPSS), grounded in cultural humility. I work with a holistic, person-centered, and integrative therapeutic approach to create a safe and supportive space where you can connect with your emotions, needs, motivations, and challenges. My goal is to provide a nonjudgmental space for you to openly share and explore resources to take care of yourself and the things you are holding. Sessions can also focus on self-care practices, work/life balance, adjusting after returning from volunteering, and team wellbeing practices and support.
Languages: English, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish
What they offer: 2 free individual sessions. Group sessions and team support. Sessions are 1 hour. The setup and length of group sessions can be discussed and adjusted based on the team. Open to pair with an organization and support on a long-term basis.
To book a call: Email Sarah at sarah.helander.mt@gmail.com You can expect to have the first session within 1-2 weeks. For urgent support, please mention this in your email.
Justine Johnson-Yurchak
I am Justine Johnson-Yurchak, an English teacher who is currently using her background in working with children to travel the world and create global connections. I graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara with a BS is Psychological and Brain Sciences and a minor in Applied Psychology. I am certified in Psychological First Aid and have a wide range of experience working with different marginalized communities. I hope to offer a safe space to discuss challenges, anxieties, stressors, difficult experiences, or whatever else you may need. I believe that everyone holds the answers to what they are facing within themselves, and through careful consideration and guidance, we can overcome most anything.
Languages: English
What they offer: Up to 2 sessions for2 people per month
To book a call: Email Justine at justinejjy@gmail.com. You can expect a response to your email within 1-2 weeks.
Stella Velkavrh
Would you like a safe space to become curious about yourself? Are you interested in adding therapy as one of your own support tools? I am eager to hear about your experience as a volunteer. What comes up for you when you are on or off the field? I have been given the approval to start my practice as a therapist in training from the Norwegian Gestalt Institute. Next to my practice I would like to dedicate some time to volunteering. I am offering pro bono therapy sessions to anyone who wants to embark on this journey of self-reflection. My educational background is in Psychology, whereas further education in Gestalt approach has allowed me to deepen my understanding of what is happening with me right now. It focuses on what is present here and now rather than what happened to us in the past. Through increased self-awareness we can observe how past experiences affect us in the present moment and what choices we have in how we respond to our current environment. As a student therapist I am required to attend supervision regularly to ensure the quality of work I provide for my clients. The purpose of supervision is to support me in gaining additional insight and knowledge about myself and the gestalt method and see new possibilities for development, as well as informing the institute and regulating student’s practical work. Norwegian gestalt institute employs supervisors with expertise in supervising clients. I take my responsibility to protect your personal information, and my practice follows the GDPR, the General Data Protection Regulation. The duty of confidentiality also applies in connection with supervision.
Languages: English
What they offer: Long term weekly or biweekly one hour sessions for up to 4 individuals.
To book a call: Email Stella at stella.velkavrh@gestalt.no. You can expect a response to your email in 1-3 days, & the session can be arranged in one week.
Coaching
Coach Activism
CoachActivism is a collective of Coaches who are aiming to provide the necessary tools and support that is needed to improve the experience of the volunteers.
Examples of ways in which they can assist are:
– Creating a safe space for expression of feelings, worries, fears, hopes
– Defining goals, outcomes, imagined futures, desired situations
– Building resilience, confidence, empowerment
– Adopting practices that nurture and promote wellness and well-being
– Understanding and exploring
– Acceptance
– Improving work/life balance
– Improvement of skills
Languages: Our coaches come from various language backgrounds, are situated in various time zones and you will be matched with the coach that best matches your profile.
What they offer: You can receive 6 pro bono online sessions. You can also participate as a team for up to 6 team coaching sessions.
To book a call: Please contact them on www.coachactivism.org. You can expect to be matched with the right coach within 2-3 weeks.