Leah Chuma - Community Psychologist
Shining a light on a crucial topic that affects many young lives: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in children Onita Sibanda (OS) spoke to Leah Chuma (LC) to dive deeper into this issue.
OS: Today we are we explore the vital role that community psychology plays in supporting children and their families. I am joined by Leah Chuma. Leah, thank you for joining us! Could you please take a moment to introduce yourself to our audience?
LC: I’m Leah Chuma. A State Licensed and Registered Community Psychologist (Ahpcz) and a full affiliate of the Zimbabwe Psychological Association. I’m also an Applied Behaviour Analysis Therapist (UAE) who holds a Msc in Community Psychology degree, BSc Honours Degree in Psychology and Bsc Special Honours Degree in Monitoring and Evaluation (to complement my Community Psychology work). I also hold a certificate in International Behaviour Therapy (UAE). I am also a Crisis and Trauma Specialist who also offers Psychological First Aid Services.
OS: Thank you Leah, for sharing that with us. It’s great to have your expertise here tonight. I’m sure our audience will benefit greatly from your insights and experiences. What is community psychology and what does it entail?
LC: The nascent field of Community Psychology is a somewhat emergent field of Psychology here in Zimbabwe that represents a paradigm shift. It adopts a new way of thinking. Its in essence a field of psychology that decolonizes the euro centrism in psychology by Africanising psychology making it more relevant for our African contexts and communities. It is Value-Led. It’s premised on the core values that drives its practices. These core values include prevention, inclusion, respect for human diversity, social justice, stewardship, citizen participation, collaboration and a sense of community.
From the highlighted core values, it is clearly evident that it is these core values that synchronize with African cultural norms and values that makes it relevant for our African communities. It aims to liberate the marginalized. Its main thrust lies in Prevention (a core value). It’s mainly concerned with identification of social problems that impacts on individuals and the community psychological, emotional, physical and social well being. It values collaboration and partnership with organizations, group members and communities. It is mainly concerned with understanding people within their communities and using this understanding to improve (Prudential Hedonism) community well being. Community Psychologist work closely with the government to analyse, review and implement policies that works to liberate the marginalized
OS: Thank you Leah, for illuminating the principles and values that underpin Community Psychology in Zimbabwe. It’s exciting to see a field that is so deeply rooted in African cultural norms and values that prioritizes prevention, social justice, and community well being. Why community psychology is important to children?
LC: Children are a special population who are voiceless and are often marginalized and succumb to salient exclusion. Many at times their rights are infringed and overridden. Community Psychology becomes pivotal and key in identifying key issues that negatively affect children with a thrust to liberate them through psychological interventions.
OS: Absolutely Leah! With experience working in the rural communities, what can you highlight as best interventions to help communities understand psychological needs or issues?
LC: We need participatory interventions, the 2nd order change interventions that are transformative and also ameliorative, that are community engaging and aims to change the status quo and improve and uplift the standard of living for children.
OS: How best can your work help in the fight against drug and substance abuse?
LC: Drug and Substance abuse is a global cry and crisis which need urgency and imminent interventions. We cannot prevent and address a menace we are not knowledgeable about. Knowledge acquisition in this case becomes key. As psychologist we endeavour to sensitive, conscientize and empower our children through awareness programs on the debilitating and demerits of drug and substance abuse, it’s nemesis or aftermaths effects.
OS: Your response is spot on! Drug and substance abuse is indeed a pressing global issue that requires immediate attention and action. We see children in conflict with the law, what can be the causes from a psychological perspective?
LC: Children communicate differently. Engaging in deviant behaviours to children is in essence a form of communication. It’s actually a demonstration for the need for attention. Many at times as parents we get busy and engulfed in our work, paying less attention to our children who then respond to us through what is deemed Attention Seeking Tendencies. The Catastrophe is that they respond through deviant behaviours which in turn negatively affect us as parents. Children want to be heard and respected.
OS: So true! Let’s talk about Post Traumatic Stress in children. What can be done to help them?
LC: PTSD is an advanced pathology of unaddressed anxiety and depression. It is an aftermath effect of unaddressed anxiety and depression. It is key to note that children do suffer from depression and PTSD too. The mainstream psychology underscored depression on CHILDREN. Depression was associated with adults only. What is reliving is PTSD can actually be addressed and resolved. It can only be rectified and nullified by relevant psychotherapies. I feel what is key here is not to wait for problems to exacerbate to crisis level. Let’s not wait till we get there. There is need for us to nip in the bud. There is need for us to collectively go upstream and identify issues that imposes anxiety and depression on our children with an aim to mitigate, ameliorative and eradicate them. I strongly subscribe to the aphorism that emphasizes prevention. A stitch in time saves nine. Prevention is better than cure.
OS: Thank you for sharing your expertise and passion for children’s mental health! I appreciate your call to action to go upstream and identify the root causes. From all this, what do you think is your role and contribution?
LC: You are most welcome. As an agent for social change my roles are so diverse. They range from advocacy, designing, planning and facilitation of programs that aims to mitigate issues that affect our communities, leading, capacity building/training, coordination, policy advocacy. Mainly working in partnership or collaborating with organizations and community members to liberate the marginalized.
OS: Thank you for sharing the depth of your work as an agent for social change! Your dedication to advocating for and empowering marginalized communities is truly inspiring. I will proceed to my next question. How can a media house like The Besana Mail help in issues to do with community psychology?
LC: I feel Besana Mail plays a crucial role in disseminating psychological issues to key recipients and intended audience. It has a role of evaluating the impact and progress of psychological programs and keeping records.
OS: As part of the Besana team we’re committed to continuing this important work and your support and feedback are invaluable in helping us achieve our goals. Together, let’s keep working towards a more supportive and inclusive community for all. Your last words?
LC: Thank you so much Besana Mail for this opportunity. It was such a pleasure to be on this platform. I’d also like to thank the audience for their time. Thank you
OS: You are welcome! It was a pleasure having you on the platform and we’re grateful for the valuable insights and expertise you shared with us. Your contributions to the field of community psychology and mental health are truly appreciated. Your dedication to mental health and community psychology is truly inspiring and we’re honoured to have had the opportunity to learn from you. Thank you again for being an amazing guest, and we wish you all the best in your future endeavours
thanks for info.