The role of psychologists in changing geopolitical landscapes

We asked our speaker for the BPS Psychology Careers Festival 2024, our treasurer Gevorg Gharbian, a few questions related to the talk he will give at the event about mental health community collaboration post potential traumatic global experiences. Here, he shares his response combined with personal experiences of working as a mental health professional across different cultures and locations. 

1. The talk will be aimed at mental health professionals supporting traumatic experiences in social communities. Could you speak further on the roles of mental health professionals. Would they be the sole supporters, or do they also have a need to be supported? 

First and foremost, mental health professionals play a critical role in shaping mental health and wellbeing policies, particularly in the aftermath of crises such as natural disasters, armed conflicts, or public health emergencies. 

A notable example is the global pandemic in 2019, which led to a significant surge in demand for mental health services. This increase made clear the urgent need for enhanced mental health infrastructure, prompting policymakers in countries like the US and the UK to recognise the necessity for legislative changes and increased budgets to address these needs.

In today's fast-paced world, where geopolitical shifts and exposure to violent content are ever-increasing, mental health professionals serve as vital supporters of society. They are particularly essential in aiding vulnerable communities. Equipped with the right tools, these professionals create safe spaces and foster environments for healing.

However, it's crucial to emphasise that mental health practitioners—whether psychologists, psychotherapists, or psychiatrists—cannot shoulder this burden alone. Partnership is key. Only by collaborating with other sectors, such as healthcare, education, and protection, as well as with NGOs, charitable organisations and government bodies, can we approach the challenges of mental health in a more institutionalised and cohesive manner. This collective effort ensures more sustainable results in supporting those most in need.

2. How would you define awareness? Awareness towards mental health in general, knowledge of asking for support from mental health professionals? How does awareness help? 

When talking about mental health awareness, it's crucial to recognise that it's an umbrella term encompassing a wide range of aspects. Mental health awareness involves understanding what mental health is, recognising the signs of mental health issues, and knowing how and when to seek support from mental health professionals. It also includes breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health and fostering an environment where people feel comfortable discussing their mental wellbeing.

Awareness plays a vital role in ensuring that individuals know where to turn for help and what resources are available to them. By increasing knowledge about mental health and available support, awareness helps to encourage people to seek help early, which can lead to better outcomes and improved overall wellbeing. It also empowers individuals and communities to address mental health issues proactively, reducing the impact of mental health problems and fostering a more supportive and understanding society.

3. You mentioned advocacies for collaborations between different communities. Could you further elaborate on what communities you have in mind?

Collaboration is crucial and plays a vital role in ensuring that all communities have equal access to the support they need. From my experience working with historically marginalised or disadvantaged communities, I've seen how effective collaboration can lead to more equitable and impactful support. 

Often, in these communities, there's a tendency to get caught in a cycle of comparing whose pain is greater. While acknowledging and validating our own and our ancestors' experiences is important, this comparative approach can perpetuate the barriers we seek to overcome. 

To build a better future, we need to shift from focusing on whose pain is greater to finding ways to genuinely see, witness, and support one another. By collaborating with various stakeholders, we can address gaps in services and provide more comprehensive assistance to those who need it most.

4. If you don't mind, I'd like to hear about your own experiences with supporting communities, or being supported by them, and what your role is in these contexts.

My earliest experiences in supporting communities date back to my placements where I worked in inpatient units for community-based services. In these roles, I supported individuals who were often isolated or marginalised. This work involved helping people navigate and access the services they needed while advocating for their inclusion in the broader community. My role was to provide direct support, bridge gaps between services, and work towards creating more accessible and inclusive environments.

I also recall working in Romania, where I volunteered for a charitable organisation providing psychological support to Roma people and children from challenging socio-economic backgrounds. Despite the bureaucratic challenges, I found it deeply rewarding to see the positive impact of our support, especially when it brought smiles to the faces of children who had faced severe abuse and hardship.

Later, during the Covid-19 pandemic, I focused on disseminating information about mental healthcare. One of my most significant experiences was during the second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020. When Azerbaijan attacked Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, I worked in shelters providing support to civilians. As a newly admitted member of the British Psychological Society at the time, I sought guidance to better support those affected by the crisis. The support I received highlighted both the positive impact of compassion and the negative effects of intolerance.

This experience, despite being personally challenging, solidified my commitment to advancing mental health awareness and care. It motivated me to work tirelessly to promote mental health across vulnerable communities. Consequently, I helped establish a co-funded NGO in Armenia dedicated to mental health awareness, care, and stigma reduction.

Later on, I applied this knowledge to support populations impacted by the war in Ukraine, providing essential mental health and psychosocial services since March 2022 in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration. This work intensified following the forced deportation of Armenians from Artsakh by Azerbaijan in 2023. With over 120,000 Armenians displaced, we urgently provided compassionate, evidence-based support.

Collaborating with my team at the Mental Health Awareness Initiative NGO, we developed mechanisms to support these forcibly displaced populations. We introduced co-production services in Armenia, ensuring our support was democratic and inclusive, valuing the voices and lived experiences of those receiving help.

Reflecting on my experience from 2020, when I was traumatised and burnt out from the war, I sought support from a group specialising in historical trauma. This helped me address my own history and continue to support others effectively.

See this speaker at the festival