Training Bosnia-Herzegovina mental health workers in group analysis resulted in founding of Bosnia-Herzegovina group analysis association and continual training of new generation from local educators

Abstract

Background Zagreb Institute for Group Analysis Training Programme took place in Tuzla University Clinical Centre, Department of Psychiatry, in Bosnia-Herzegovina (BH) in response to 1992–1995 war, in helping to train mental health workers in GA to enable them to treat psychological trauma symptoms of war survivors. Objectives The primary objective focused on educational process in Group Analysis (GA) in post-war BH which resulted with building capacities to continue education of new generation of Group Analysis trainees from national educators. Method Authors described realization of educational process considering the two Diploma courses and process of supervision, which was provided from the Institute for GA (IGA) Zagreb, Croatia. Results Internationally approved IGA trainers provided completed training for trainees: neuropsychiatrists, neurosurgeon, residents, nurses, psychologists, social workers, special educators, paediatrician, and gynaecologist from several different institutions from seven different cities in BH and Croatia. Training started during the war period with introduction courses and continues with two Diploma Courses. Nowadays in BH are nine graduated Group Analysts including three of them who completed training for educators of Group Analysis. They founded Bosnia-Herzegovina Association of Group Analysis, and GA educators, members of this Association started training in GA of new generation of mental health workers.