The New Bank for Community Ideas and Solutions

The European Community Psychology Association (ECPA) is  pleased to introduce the New Bank for Community Ideas and Solutions, a unique global collaboration designed to promote community building and strengthen community life everywhere. The Bank is a collection of ideas and solutions inspired by the spontaneous community creativity emerging from the pandemic and other crises our planet is experiencing (e.g., climate change, racism, social injustice).

Watch introduction video and learn more on  Section 13.How our partners deal with COVID-19 of this hub  

Brussels, May 15, 2020  

EFPA Coronavirus position statement: How to strengthen communities in times of crisis 

1. What is the crucial role of communities to cope with the crisis?
2. What can Community Psychology offer to help communities recover after the crisis? 

In one of the most disruptive times in our societies there is no doubt that our ‘sense of community’ and our ability for mutual support may become a crucial factor how we will cope with a situation we never experienced before. This will be especially true for the weakest groups in our communities. But, in order to establish mutual support for the most vulnerable groups, one needs to maintain and nourish strong communities and a common sense of community.

EFPA would like to share some basic recommendations on the social effects on communities in relation to the Coronavirus spread. Community psychology can offer specialist competencies and tools that are useful for real problems both locally and on a global scale.

How do we strengthen our communities towards a challenge we never experienced before? In these times it is crucial to strengthen the bonds between people in communities. It is not only necessary to increase engagement in social welfare, but also to establish a sense of belonging and community between institutions, local business, cultural activists, volunteers, local governments and local media.

Read the full statement here as PDF 

EFPA Coronavirus position Statement
Introduction by Nicholas Carr (Convenor of the EFPA Standing Committee on Community Psychology )

July 2, 2020

Community psychology organises more than 1200 psychologists in six European Associations, and provides insight to achieve social justice, placing the cultural and political context at the heart of what psychologists do.  

With roots from unemployment research in the 1930's, CP has oriented itself towards a systemic view of social and psychological problems. By integrating individual, group and community levels of analysis, CP has developed a value based psychology in order to address the underlying causes of mental problems.  

CP offers education and research on how to analyse determinants of empowerment, participation and sense of community, and provides access to an active professional network, with an influence on public health and social policy planning.  

By understanding and changing the psycho- social processes through which inequality and unjustice impact on individuals health and well being, CP can contribute to rebuild post-pandemic communities.  

The key message of the statement is to challenge the idea that a pandemic affects only the individuals, and promote the idea that well being is always connected to social and political contexts. By strenghtening the bonds, trust and sense of belonging between people and institutions, CP is helping communities to recover after the crisis.

Facilitating community resilience to respond to consequences of Covid-19

British Psychological Society (BPS) - Coronavirus Resources
October 20, 2020

Participation from communities is crucial in reducing the spread of Covid-19, mitigating the negative psychosocial effects of the lockdown measures, and enabling recovery.

This guidance document brings together core concepts, principles, and evidence from community and social psychology that can assist local authorities, local resilience forums (LRFs), heads of services, and community groups in their efforts to facilitate community resilience, specifically in the context of Covid-19 crisis as described above.

It is part of a range of outputs from the BPS Covid-19 Community Action and Resilience workstream.

The document is intended to provide a short scientific rationale for existing good practice and to help communities and those who work with them understand what works and why.

Read full document 

PSYCHOLOGISTS WORLDWIDE UNITE TO TAKE ACTION

Against Violence in the Home

Violence (psychological, physical, sexual) in the home has increased worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What Psychologists Can Do

1. Offer support, share resources

 Individuals who have experienced violence in the home are more likely to seek help when they believe they will receive the protection and support required to change their situation. This is challenging in a global crisis like COVID-19 because social isolation during quarantine can increase risk and result in additional barriers to accessing support services.

Act to identify individuals at risk. Protect people by gaining familiarity with local services.

2. Start the conversation in your community

The COVID-19 crisis and related stressors have contributed to an increase in different types of violence in homes and communities. Many people may not realize that they or those around them are in a violent situation or know what resources are available to them, since violence is often normalized and may be less visible during the COVID-19 crisis.

Educate communities about the signs of different types of violence and ways to help.

3. There is no health without mental health

Individuals who have been victims of violence associated with a crisis or disaster may experience significant long-term mental health impacts, including post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety and other developmental challenges.

Advocate for accessible services to address immediate needs and long-term issues.

4. See the person not the stereotype

Violence must be viewed in the context of the individual’s circumstance. The trauma of violence may be magnified by prior experience.

Learn how to provide comprehensive care according to unique needs.

 Download this tip sheet here as PDF  

#actionagainstviolence #globalpsychology

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies established in 2017  

“Epidemics begin and end in communities. When communities are engaged and trained in epidemic preparedness and response, they become vital contributors to finding and stopping outbreaks, saving lives, restoring services, reducing negative impacts, speeding recovery and building resilience.”

More information  

COVID-19 and violence against women

WHO – Advocacy

This document brings attention to the different ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic and measures to address it, such as staying at home, may exacerbate the risk of domestic violence against women. It highlights the importance of ensuring that support and medical care services for women and children affected by such violence are maintained and what health providers/services can do, including through identifying and offering referral options. It provides recommendations on what measures governments, health providers, community members and others can take to mitigate such violence and its impacts. It also provides tips for coping with stress at home and actions women who are experiencing violence or their family members can take.

Read and download guide as PDF 

Preparedness, prevention and control of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) for refugees and migrants in non-camp settings – Interim guidance

WHO – Emergencies

Refugees and migrants face similar health threats from COVID-19 as their host populations. However, inadequate access to essential services and exclusion may makes early detection, testing, diagnosis, contact tracing and seeking care for COVID-19 difficult for refugees and migrants thus increasing the risk of outbreaks in these population and presenting an additional threat to public health.

This document offers guidance to Member States and partners for the inclusion of refugees and migrants, as part of holistic efforts to respond to COVID-19 epidemics in the general populations.

Read document here 