My work as a protection officer has changed how I see the world. I work closely with people who have been displaced or survived violence, supporting them through some of the most difficult moments in their lives. My role involves providing confidential counselling and mental health support through individual and group sessions, as well as helping the most vulnerable access to emergency cash assistance to meet urgent needs. I also work with women’s groups in the community, sharing information on gender-based violence (GBV) and supporting women through training in leadership, entrepreneurship, and advocacy.
Through this work, I have seen how deeply mental health affects many IDPs (Internally Displaced People) and returnees in South Sudan. Some struggle with suicidal thoughts, others with depression, while many simply struggle to cope with daily life. These challenges are often shaped by experiences such as violence, loss of loved ones and property, loss of identity, and lack of livelihood.
In my work, I have seen that trauma affects people in different ways depending on what they have experienced. Some of the most painful cases I have experienced involved survivors of sexual violence, especially women. Many survivors not only suffer from the abuse itself, but also from the response they receive afterwards. In some communities, survivors are denied justice and instead forced to marry their abuser.
I also remember a woman who lost her entire family because of conflict in South Sudan. The grief affected her deeply, and at one point she no longer saw a reason to continue living. Through counselling, community support, and taking part in activities we provided through our work, she slowly began to heal. Participating in group activities and rebuilding her daily routine helped her regain a sense of connection and purpose. Over time, she found a new sense of purpose and started encouraging others in similar situations not to give up. Stories like hers remind me that recovery is possible, even after deep loss.
But for many people, recovery is difficult because the pressures they face every day do not go away.
One of the biggest drivers of distress is economic pressure. Our, South Sudanese culture values family, and many households are large, with no stable source of income. This creates constant stress and can lead to mental breakdowns, especially for family heads. Displacement also brings another burden to the fear of starting over. Even when families find temporary stability, they live with the knowledge that it may not last.
What I have seen is that recovery becomes more possible when people are supported to stand on their own. Skills training like learning about financial literacy, small income opportunities, and community support systems make a real difference. They reduce stress and restore a sense of control. I have seen people regain confidence and stability when they are able to provide for their families again.
In my work, I have learned that mental health is not only about what people have gone through, but also whether they are given a real chance to rebuild their lives afterwards.
Asunta David Gatwech Tang
Protection Officer, South Sudan
