A UNICEF report looks into the psychosocial impact of the zud on children. The main observations are as follows:
- The dzud
has a psychosocial effect on children, and is dependent on the material
impact on the family and their ability to continue caretaking functions
for the child. The peer group of the child, especially in schools, is a
positive mitigating factor in easing negative psychosocial impacts.
Addressing these effects within the framework of very limited
psychological resources will be a challenge, and training will be
needed. The focus needs to be on both the child individually, the
family as a whole, and the school as a peer group capable of providing
substitute supportive roles. - A W.H.O. study recently conducted indicates increasing
levels of suicide in Mongolia, with the younger age group included in
this increase. While a cause and effect cannot be assumed, this figure
is one indicator used in psychosocial assessments. - The isolation of some families during the dzud
results in a school drop out rate that is unacceptable. The magnitude
of this problem is very difficult to determine, although estimates can
be made on the soum level and, in some areas, have already being done.
This effects younger children and older youth. One of the causes stated
by several of our interviewees is the need for adequate clothing to
live in a dormitory. Ancillary causes include poor dormitory conditions
and schools that are in poor physical condition. According to the
UNICEF Program Officer, youth have stated that they would stay in
school if the facilities were in better condition. This finding
requires further thought and consideration for possible avenues of
action. - Ulan Bator is seeing an increase of youth with a wide array of psychosocial problems, some related to the dzud,
some related to migration, and some related to other societal factors.
It is very difficult to view this growing youth problem in isolation
from the dzud.
Rather, it probably should be seen as a continuum of a growing threat
of potentially harmful influences in Mongolia that will demonstrate
visible effects on civil society, crime levels, substance abuse, and
family disruptions. This is of concern to UNICEF. - Capacity for providing psychosocial assistance to children
and adolescents is minimal. This includes lower levels of care that
might include even minimal interventions of supportive counseling,
empathic listening, and knowledge of normal stress-related symptoms, to
higher level interventions for the rare but serious cases of severe
depression or psychosis. Psychotropic medicine at the soum levels
rarely is adequate, or even included. Even when available many families
cannot afford them. The Revolving Drug Fund is a viable solution to
this problem, but it is not yet widespread, and not fully functional. - General observations of mental health of children effected by the dzud
are remarkably good, but there are small numbers of children who would
benefit from further evaluation, or, at the least, emergency
psychosocial interventions that encourage positive coping techniques,
recognition of stress and its management, and a supportive adult to
listen to worries. - The next two to three months may be the most difficult. The dzud
will continue, and winter fatigue will be at a high. Then the school
year will end and children will be with their families to help and to
be part of the summer work. This increased time of family togetherness
may be a time of increased stress for the family if parents are
experiencing significant loss from the dzud. A period of preparation for this time may help to avoid and recognize signs of tension and misunderstanding.
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