The Psychosocial Aspects of a Deadly Epidemic: What Ebola Has Taught Us about Holistic Healing

Edited by a clinical psychologist who has been on the ground helping to develop psychosocial support for Ebola survivors in one of the hardest-hit regions of West Africa, this book explains the devastating emotional aspects of the epidemic and its impact on survivors and the population in West Africa, families in the diaspora, and people in the United States and other countries. It also describes lessons learned from past epidemics like HIV/AIDS and SARS, and valuable approaches to healing from future epidemics.
• Addresses the various myths and resulting psychological, social, and economic harm caused by Ebola

• Presents models of psychosocial support and help offered by local as well as international aid organizations

• Covers efforts to build the mental health infrastructure of the affected countries, revealing the importance of integrating mental health care into primary health care

• Explains government and media responses to the Ebola epidemic

• Supplies critically important information for psychologists and mental health workers, health professionals of all disciplines, public health students, government officials, policymakers, and all individuals and groups interested in providing psychosocial support

• Includes a foreword by an important official and endorsements by other significant stakeholders in the fight against Ebola