The Haitian Association of Psychology (AHPsy), opened Thursday its first scientific conference of Psychology under the theme "Mental Health in Haiti after January 12: Trauma, Approaches and Treatment."

This new association of psychologists Haitian, proposes "to open the debate and the reflection on the trauma caused by the earthquake of January 12, 2010, in order to contribute to a better psychosocial support of the Haitian", it can be read in the document distributed to guests and participants.

For three days from June 30 to July 2, 2011, speakers from France, Switzerland, Canada-Quebec and United States will discuss with their colleagues in Haiti of the following subtopics :

• The Psychologist in the Haiti of today

• Multidisciplinary in psychosocial support in Haiti

• Approach familial, Community and collective of the management of trauma

• Cultural referents and resilience mechanisms in Haiti

• Expressions, verbalizations and Communications as therapy.

This scientific congress has the following objectives "bring together the various mental health professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, doctors, nurses, healers, etc.). for exchanges and discussions" and to "constitute a real platform of discussion for Mental Health in Haiti by establishing a network of professionals and institutions concerned" and to "make available to the Haitian society informations and scientific papers on psycho trauma."

The Bureau Caraïbe of the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), one of the partners of this congress, welcomes this initiative and encourages the organizers to publish in the best delay the scientific proceedings of this meeting. "These conference proceedings, when they will be published, will allow to fill the gap in the field of psychology in Haiti and they will be, undoubtedly, useful to students, academics and health professionals," said Mr. Jean Marie Théodat, Director of the Bureau Caraïbe of the AUF.

HL/ HaitiLibre / AUF