Group-Based Strategies Employed in the Wartime and Post-War Treatment of Psychological Trauma: Experience from the War in Croatia

The authors served as psychiatrists during the recent war in Croatia, 1991–1995. From the onset of this armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia, their group provided mental health and psychiatric care to waves of refugees, displaced persons, soldiers and former prisoners of war. Such care was also provided to civilians living under the threat of warfare. In this endeavor, the Croatian health service received considerable assistance from international non-governmental organizations. Since the war, professionals in the mental health field have continued to provide help, support and various kinds of treatment to people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, coping difficulties and personality changes. Four regional psychotrauma centers (RPCs) have been established in Croatia, together with a network of counseling centers set up as governmental agencies. The Regional Psychotrauma Center of Split (southern Croatia) that serves war veterans and their families will be described herein. Research data will be presented and discussed.