Gutlove, Paula and Gordon Thompson (2004). “Psychosocial Healing and Post-Conflict Social Reconstruction in the Former Yugoslavia.” Medicine, Conflict & Survival , Vol. 20, Number 2. London: Taylor & Francis Ltd. 2004. Reprinted with Permission (16 pages).

This article, published in Medicine, Conflict & Survival, builds on experience in the former Yugoslavia to describe a model for psychosocial Healing.   Post-conflict reconstruction encompasses social, physical and political reconstruction.   Social reconstruction entails rebuilding the human interactions that allow a society to function.   This involves the healing of psychological and social wounds of individuals and society.   Psychosocial healing is a process to promote psychological and social health of individuals, families and community groups.   The Medical Network for Social Reconstruction in the Former Yugoslavia has pioneered a broad range of psychosocial healing programs including community-integration programs, development of volunteer action, and training of professional and lay people to take part in psychosocial healing.   These programs have demonstrated that psychosocial healing can be an effective way to heal post-conflict societal trauma and rebuild a society with a vastly improved quality of life.