The Equator Treatment Program

Consultation and Referrals

The treatment offered by Equator is designed for refugees, asylum seekers and victims of human trafficking with psychological complaints related to experienced violence or oppression, humiliation and social exclusion, threat to life, witnessing atrocities, loss of loved ones, torture, sexual violence or exploitation.

Potential psychological complaints resulting from these experiences are primarily in the areas of anxiety, depression, impaired impulse control, confusion, attention and sleep problems and physical complaints. Common diagnoses are posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.

The fact that, through systematic violence and abuse and involuntary migration, people not only lose their mental balance, but also their hold onto their social environment and role is fundamental to the approach taken by the Equator Foundation. For this reason, mental rehabilitation and social integration receive equal attention in the treatment program.

The Equator Foundation offers diagnosis, day care for one of two days in the week and various forms of outpatient care.

Diagnostics
Patients from this target group can be referred to Equator for diagnosis (psychiatric assessment, somatic screening and possibly psychological testing) and treatment advice.

1. Day treatment 2 days/week 
   The two-day day care is for refugees for whom outpatient  care provides
   insufficient perspective. For this programme, the emphasis on social integration means that only refugees with a residence permit are eligible to participate. This treatment is offered on Mondays and Wednesdays, between 10.00 and 16.00 hours. The duration of treatment can be up to 6 months.
    
   Objective
   Day treatment can help give structure to daily life. Because the day treatment is partly conducted on a group basis, the sense of social isolation is broken. With a stable and therapeutic environment the basic sense of security is built up, providing the opportunity for recovery. Knowledge and skills specific to Dutch society are presented, promoting social inclusion and creating the conditions in which talents and skills can develop. At the beginning of the day care, concrete goals in terms of social functioning and daytime activities are set.

• General features
  • Patient groups of around 10 participants
  • Sociotherapist as a permanent trusted person
  • Informal, homelike climate
     
• Features as regards content
  • Treatment focused on stabilizing mental state
  • Focus on respect and regaining trust and dignity
  • Help with focus on the Dutch context: information and guidance
  • Medical-psychiatric care in individual contact

Program Components
During day care, the following treatments are offered in various combinations:
*sociotherapy; *individual support; *psychiatric care; *medication; *stabilization course; *psychomotor therapy (sports / games, concentration / relaxation, aggression-regulation); *psycho-education; *occupational therapy and social functioning & activity support; *social orientation; *social work support; *Dutch language training.

When appropriate, trauma-focused psychotherapy (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Exposure Therapy, EMDR) is also offered.

Target Group
Refugees, male or female, 18 years or older, with a residence permit, for whom outpatient care is not sufficient.

Contra-indications
Very poor command of the Dutch language, severe suicidality, severe substance abuse, severe personality problems, lack of a fixed place of residence.

2. Day treatment 1 day/week (Daily Activities Group)
   The 1-day day care is for refugees who have followed a psychiatric treatment and are looking for meaningful daytime activities in their own living environment. Because of this emphasis on social integration, only refugees with a residence permit are eligible. The treatment takes place largely in groups, with around 10 participants. The treatment is offered on Fridays, between 10.00 and 16.00. The duration of treatment can be up to 6 months.

Objective
Following after psychiatric treatment, the objective here is to work towards useful occupation in the client's social context. The program is delivered from a rehabilitation perspective, which means that attention is focused on the future. Its goal is to increase activities and participation in society, using the existing competences and taking into account any disabilities. At the end of this program, some of the participants will be referred for individual social functioning & activity support in their own living region.

Program Components
During day care, the following treatments can be delivered: *sociotherapy; *psychomotor therapy (orientation to sport / game, concentration / relaxation); *daily activities group and homework; *occupational therapy and social functioning & activity support; *social orientation; *individual support; *psycho-education.

Target Group
Refugees, male or female, 18 years or older who have completed a psychiatric treatment or are still following one, but so far have not been able to construct a meaningful existence in the Netherlands.

Contra-indications
Insufficient command of the Dutch language, suicidality, substance abuse, severe personality problems, lack of a fixed place of residence.

Treatment Options
During outpatient care, the following treatments may be applied in various combinations: *individual support; *psychiatric care; *medication; *stabilization course; *trauma-focused psychotherapy (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Exposure Therapy, EMDR); *psychomotor therapy (sports / games, concentration / relaxation, aggression-regulation); *psychoeducation; *occupational therapy and social functioning & activity support; *social orientation; *social work support; *Dutch language training.