Workshop participants are identified by our community-based facilitators and undergo a series of assessments before and after the healing workshops.
The SRQ-20
The SRQ-20 is a mental health screening instrument developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) that has been used in many countries of the world, including Guinea Bissau, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Africa, and which has also been widely used in Zimbabwe, including with trauma survivors. We selected the SRQ-20 because it screens for a broader range of psychological disorders, rather than measures focusing exclusively on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. SRQ scores of 7 and above (>6) indicate that clients are in need of clinical support, while scores of 10 and above (>9) are considered to be severe cases. The tool also checks for suicidal ideations.
Tree of Life facilitators conduct SRQ-20 screenings before healing workshops, and also do a follow up assessment three (3) months after the workshop. Through the healing workshops, our goal is to help each individual on their healing journey by reducing their number of SRQ-20 symptoms over time.
Click here to download the WHO SRQ-20
Zimbabwe Community Life Questionnaire (ZCLQ-20)
We use the Zimbabwe Community Life Questionnaire (ZCLQ) - a tool which measures positive change in community engagement, contributions to the lives of others, and attitudes to community healing - as reflected in increasing scores. In 2016 the ZCLQ was revised down from 28 to 20 questions, and is now known as the ZCLQ-20. Like the SRQ-20, this assessment is conducted before the healing workshops and at the 3-month follow-up.
Structured-Assessment Interview
A structured-assessment tool noting general demographics and incidents of distress is also administered before the healing workshop.
Post workshop evaluation
Immediately after the healing workshop, each participant competes a qualitative evaluation, providing feedback on their experience during the workshop.
Follow-Ups
As noted above, a 3-month post workshop follow-up is done with healing workshop participants. Apart from the SRQ-20 and the ZCLQ-20, a semi-structured interview is also used, this includes both quantitative and qualitative feedback from the participants.
Referrals
During the healing workshop and follow-up processes, facilitators are constantly on the look-out for beneficiaries who may require further support, either psychological or medical. Cases that cannot be attended to by Tree of Life are referred on to relevant partners within our referral network.
