Political violence and mental health: Effects of neoliberalism and the role of international social work practice

Abstract

Healing from political violence is not solely an individual project, but a communal process involving reclaiming collective action, trust, and efficacy. This article uses a case study from two Palestinian refugee camps in the West Bank to examine how two trends central to neoliberalism, individualism, and the medicalization of inherently social and political problems, discount larger forces that affect risk and resilience, thereby undermining mental health recovery from political violence. Implications for international social work include utilizing ecosocial frameworks for research and practice, engaging in advocacy, and establishing agendas for mental health practice that emphasize individual and collective self-determination.