Sui SRK: an app for refugees
Press releases
•The Swiss Red Cross (SRC) has launched Sui SRK, an app to help refugees in Switzerland cope with social and mental challenges. Currently in English, French, German, Arabic and Ukrainian, it will soon also be available in other languages. The app provides the opportunity to chat with a fellow refugee and is set to expand internationally.
Experts estimate that roughly half the refugees in Switzerland develop a trauma-related mental illness. In actual fact, the challenges faced by refugees are the result not only of their experiences before and during their migration but also their living conditions in Switzerland. The Sui SRK app raises awareness of mental health issues, suggesting various ways to reinforce their own resources when coping with stress, physical pain or difficulties sleeping. Through the app, refugees can chat in their own language with someone with a similar background who has been trained to provide peer support. If needs be, these support persons refer them to other counselling services.
The participative approach shows day-to-day help is essential
About 200 refugees took part in developing the programme. This approach highlighted the importance for them to have access to reliable information in their own language in one place. This is particularly important when it comes to looking for a job, training opportunities or an apartment. This information improves their understanding of the world around them to increase their feeling of security. The app focuses on information that helps with integration, but also covers topics such as the asylum procedure, family reunification or how to trace relatives.
International expansion
Sui SRK was developed in partnership with universities and specialized institutions. It is currently available in English, French, Arabic, Ukrainian and German, while Farsi/Dari and Turkish will also be added soon. Based on modular software DIRECTOpens a new window, this pioneering app will benefit mental health and psychosocial support activities throughout the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement as it can be replicated in other countries, particularly those along migration routes.
Sui SRK can be downloaded free of charge from Google Play and the App Store.
Further information: www.migesplus.ch/en/suiOpens a new window