Conflict, Peace and Mental Health: Addressing the Consequences of Conflict and Trauma in Northern Ireland

This book describes the mental health impact of conflict in Northern Ireland from 1969 to 2015 along with the efforts to understand and respond to the emerging needs. It seeks to understand the personal and community impacts of violence on health and well-being, and their social and political consequences. The account takes the reader from the community tragedy and mental health crisis of the Omagh bombing of 1998, through the efforts of a range of individuals and organisations to assess and respond to the needs of the community. Bolton describes how an evidence-based, specialist, trauma-focused service was developed, how training and education programmes were established, and explores the ground-breaking research undertaken to better understand the needs of individuals and the wider community. Located within the context of ongoing violence and a struggling peace process, the book describes how addressing the mental health impact and burden of conflict has to be a key priority for peacemakers if they are to build a sustainable society in which as many as possible can be stakeholders.