The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has held workshop on Mental health and self-care for selected Human Trafficking Secretariat [HTS] Staff and Social Welfare officers – service providers.
According to the Ministry, Human trafficking is a global issue that affects the trafficked, the trafficker, and service providers.
Speaking at the workshop, Madam Sena Owusu Gibson, moderator of the training disclosed that the vulnerabilities (psychological, emotional and physical challenges) victims of human trafficking experience, issues of trafficking may also overwhelm service providers sometimes and affect their general well being, which in return creates the need for them to know and understand when they have reached their wits’ end and need some self-care to recharge and keep going.
She noted that for this reason that the Human Trafficking Secretariat (HTS) – under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection – with support from Expertise France organized a Two-day Awareness raising and training workshop on Mental health and self-care for selected HTS Staff and Social Welfare officers – service providers.
The training workshop sought to educate participants on the background and psychological profile of the victims of human trafficking and related issues in order to encourage helpful responses in the effective care and management of victims.
Madam Sena Owusu Gibson said the training will also equip them to be able to recognize early signs of mental health issues of victims and also know when and where to refer for further assistance and equip participants with self-care strategies to ensure their own general well-being whilst discharging their duties.
She said Service providers implementing government policies for Human Trafficking need to be in the best state of mind and also watch out for their own mental state (eventhough subtle sometimes) as byproducts of their engagement with these victims or in performing other tasks.
“Service providers must see themselves as major role player in the fight against Human trafficking and must therefore, consistently acquire skills in diverse areas in order to be effective,” she added.
The training which started on Wednesday, 13th October 2021 will end on Thursday, 14th October, 2021.
