What is Psychological Preparation?

What is Psychological Preparation?

The following information was taken directly from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees Emergency Handbook (2012).

Psychological preparation is a process of tuning person’s inner resources to the coming situation. A psychologically prepared person expects certain challenges, has an idea of the potential psychological impact of such challenges, knows his/her own reactions to such challenges and is familiar with his/her own inner resources and where and how to seek support when needed. In the context of assignments to hardship locations, these challenges include:

• working under continuous pressure
• lack of privacy
• working and living in the contexts of security threats and/or exposure to human suffering
• separation from family and social network
• lack of conditions that favor a healthy lifestyle

While some aspects of the psychological preparation can be standardized and used for all newly recruited persons to hardship locations, the preparation process has to take into account individual differences at all levels: personality, past personal and professional experiences, individual coping skills and cultural background including values and norms. Those volunteering to deploy could consider the process of psychological preparation as an opportunity for an open discussion and a personal reflection about his or her readiness for the upcoming deployment assignment. The areas of focus are:

• assessing the past experiences that might contribute to their resilience/vulnerability
• assessing their current level of stress, identifying personal resources and learning new coping skills
• familiarizing with the sources of stress at their destination
• identifying potential risks for the person• establishing a self-care plan

Those who are deployed do so at their own risk and responsibility.  The Academy and GCAT are not responsible for the healthcare of individuals who are deployed.