HAITI / MIRAGOÂNE
Psychosocial Centre I P S O, Miragoâne / Haiti
TERRANE was asked to support the international psychosocial organisation IPSO with a design for their new psychosocial centre in Miragoâne, Haiti. The task was to develop the design for the reformation of a former cinema whose roof has been taken off during a hurricane in 2008. TERRANE made 3 proposals varying in size and internal organisation in order to evaluate different possibilities for the future use of the building.
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IPSO implements in Haiti a comprehensive socio-cultural and psychosocial project for the earthquake-affected population. The project funded by Caritas Germany establishes three community based centres in Léogâne, Miraguâne and Jacmel, which offer socio-cultural activities such as music, dancing, theatre, painting, support groups and individual psychosocial counselling. Psychosocial counselling, offered by Haitian psychologists trained with the culturally adapted IPSO counselling approach, helps people with mental health problems and traumatized people to cope with their difficulties in life. Although much has been done in Haiti psychosocial and mental health support is rare and not integrated into the Public Health System.
