Community Suicide Prevention Project for Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

The DRC in general and the city of Goma in particular, with a majority population that is poor and unemployed, is caught in endless cycles of wars, and the calamity of armed conflicts. This constant exposure to trauma predisposes many to severe psychological distress. Given this level of trauma exposure we expect higher rates of suicide recorded than is actually being noted or reported by a variety of formal and informal stakeholders – including those involved with this Think Tank – Ubuntu Voyages and BEPSY (Bureau d’Experts Psychologues). This project holds several objectives at heart. The overall aim is to reduce and prevent as much as possible the rate of suicidality and psychological distress within the city of Goma. From the learnings of the Think Tank project, we hope to build out a program that addresses suicide risk, PTSD, and depression in the community of Goma based on contemplative practices.