Conflict, peace and mental health

David Bolton is a trauma researcher, writer and practitioner. He trained as a social worker in Belfast from 1974 to 1978, during some of the worst years of the civil conflict. At the time of the Omagh bombing of 1998 he coordinated the immediate and longer-term responses of community services, including establishing the Omagh Community Trauma and Recovery Team. In 2002 he became the founding director of the Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma and Transformation, which closed in 2011. He lives in County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland.

'The author writes from the heart, with the experience of a highly respected practitioner and researcher, and with a very personal yet professional relationship with victims and survivors.'Rev. Harold Good, Former President of the Methodist Church in Ireland and witness to the decommissioning of the IRA and ETA weaponry.'This is a magnificent contribution not just to the British/Irish troubles but to every region and every country where the agony and horror of violence has penetrated and mangled the human spirit.'Denis Bradley, Co-Chair Consultative Group on the Past'This is a book full of civility, humanism and evidence in relation to the psychological consequences of societal violence.'Brendan Bunting, Professor of Psychology, Ulster University'David Bolton writes with insight in this admirable book. I have rarely encountered an individual so committed and dedicated to making the ragged edges of peace less painful.'David McKittrick, co-author of Lost Lives, the compilation of Troubles related deaths in Northern Ireland.'David Bolton brings over 30 years of field experience in Northern Ireland to this book through which he shares his insights of conflict-related trauma and recovery, supported with empirical research evidence, with all humanitarians working in conflicted societies.'Fergus Cooper OBE, Former Save the Children Head of Country in Northern Ireland‘If there is one book that should be required reading for our MLAs, it is [this]. The book is a timely reminder that while the Assembly remains suspended and political progress remains stalled, victims and survivors of violence continue to live with the consequences of the past…The book is also designed to appeal to an international audience. There is much to be learned and applied from the examples of good practice developed in the aftermath of Omagh and in the research/evidence-based approach of the partnership between NICTT and Ulster University…I am heartened that people in other parts of the world may learn from those who have suffered in Northern Ireland. But I hope that the learning in Northern Ireland itself has not stopped, and that our politicians and policy makers heed Bolton’s message about what remains to be done.’Gladys Ganiel, Slugger O’toole‘What prompted Bolton to write the book was the conflict in Syria and, before that, in Iraq. He hopes it will be of use to counsellors and psychiatrists and psychotherapists and anyone trying to deal with the traumatic impact of conflict.’Gerry Moriarty, Irish Times‘This is a timely book to remind us what happens when we don’t nourish peace or build public infrastructures to ensure that violence and injustice cannot succeed. It is timely not only because of recent events in Northern Ireland that might evoke divisions from the past, but also because of recent events in London and Manchester, hate crime, and the shortcomings of democratic voting- not to mention also the importance of looking now at the intergenerational problems that await the people in Syria and other Middle East Countries.’Derek Indoe, British Journal of Psychology‘The first edition of his book was very well received by commentators and practitioners alike. This second edition maintains the qualities of precision, breadth of vision and readability, providing a valuable and comprehensive update on Northern Ireland’s Troubles-related mental-health needs and provision. This is a major and powerful contribution to understanding and to charting the way forward.’Fabian Monds, Chairman, Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma and Transformation

• Preface to the second editionIntroduction1 The Omagh bombing and the community’s response2 The Omagh Community Trauma and Recovery Team3 Assessing the mental-health impact of the Omagh bombing4 The mental-health impact of the conflict in Northern Ireland, 1969–995 The mental-health impact of the conflict in Northern Ireland, 2000–156 The Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma and Transformation: a comprehensive trauma centre7 The development of a trauma-focused therapy programme8 Trauma-focused skills training for practitioners9 Research, advocacy and policy support10 Developments in responding to the needs of victims of the conflict in Northern Ireland11 From conflict management to conflict transformation: progress in Northern Ireland since 201712 Rethinking how to address the needs of the victims of conflict and to build the post-conflict communityPostscript: the rupture of loss and traumaIndex