Religion as a Resource for Mental Health Management for Survivors of Violent Conflicts in Kenya
摘要
In situations of violent conflicts, those targeted suffer inordinate loss. They do not just lose materially but also suffer physical and emotional burdens. All these contribute to traumatic experiences that the survivors have to deal with for a long time. In many instances, well-wishers and organizations target the survivors’ physical needs by providing humanitarian assistance for basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, and medical attention. This is because there is always the immediate need of addressing what is visible and what seems urgent. However, mental instability (and trauma) is in most cases not addressed. The chapter explores how survivors of violent conflicts use religion and spirituality to cope with pain and trauma resulting from the effects of violent conflicts. Borrowing from literature on Kenya’s postelection and other forms of violence, the chapter specifically explains how religious structures and institutions provide avenues for dealing with the mental needs of survivors. The chapter relies on secondary and tertiary data on religion and health concerns in situations of conflicts and peacebuilding.