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The Bible Society of Ghana (BSG) has launched a Trauma-Healing mobile app as part of its Trauma Healing Project aimed at restoring hope and comfort to those who suffer pain and other forms of traumatic experiences.
It is a Bible-based programme for churches and communities which blends biblical and mental health principles.
According to the non-denominational Christian organisation, the Trauma Healing Institute has seamlessly integrated its programme into the mobile app, allowing individuals to access the healing process wherever they were.
This fusion, it said, did not only enhanced convenience but also reflected a commitment to making trauma healing readily available and accessible through digital means.
Speaking on Wednesday at the two-day Trauma Healing Community of Practice Conference 2024, the Former Second Lady, Matilda Amissah – Arthur, stressed the importance of individuals openly sharing their experiences and reaching out for support, saying “no one is free from trauma, each of us will experience trauma along the way but the important thing is to know that you can recover and grow through trauma.”
“Seeking a professional help, be it a clinical psychologist or a Christian counsellor, is very important,” she added.
Mrs Amissah-Arthur highlighted the universal nature of trauma, emphasising that it was an inevitable part of the human experience.
The Ghana Trauma Healing Convener said embracing one’s spiritual beliefs could be instrumental in overcoming trauma, providing a foundation for resilience and hope.
Mrs Amissah-Arthur encouraged individuals to share their experiences and reach out for support, adding “seeking help is an act of strength, not weakness, and can pave the way for both personal and collective healing.”
The Head of Psychology Department of the University of Ghana, Rev. Professor Joseph Osafo Adu, in his keynote address, reflected on the importance of relying on faith during life’s challenges.
He said the Trauma Healing programme encourages resilience, not glorifying human weakness, but viewing it as an opportunity for personal growth.
He recounted a personal traumatic experience he had as a child that still lives with him, reiterating the importance of managing trauma effectively. He said, “It is not what we deal with that matters, but how we handle what we’re dealing with.”
He encouraged fostering social connections, seeking support, and developing problem-solving skills which were crucial in overcoming trauma, adding that the Trauma Healing programme encourages individuals to embrace challenges, adopt a growth mindset, and promote personal growth.
The conference was organised to address the widespread emotional trauma affecting individuals in Ghana, particularly in the aftermath of various human tragedies such as the COVID -19 pandemic, famine, abuse, and the recent pandemics.
BY STEPHANIE BIRIKORANG