Viennese heroine Alexia Gerhardus: Voice for traumatized refugees
Viennese heroine Alexia Gerhardus: Voice for traumatized refugees
The Hemayat Association on Alsergrund is a point of contact for people who survived war and torture. Alexia Gerhardus, who has been working on the association's press and public relations work for 15 years, plays a crucial role in raising awareness of the important work of the association. "We have a multi -professional team of around 100 psychologists, psychotherapists and interpreters," she explains.
hemayat offers psychological and psychotherapeutic support for people who have had traumatic experiences while they have come to Austria while fleeing their home countries. Gerhardus emphasizes that despite the efforts in recent years to expand the therapeutic offer by around 30 percent, 500 people are still waiting for a therapy place.
Your commitment to social projects
Born in Belgium, Alexia Gerhardus moved to Vienna at the age of 18 to study journalism and history. She came into contact with the club through a friend who worked for Hemayat. "It was a little love at first glance," she reflects on her spontaneous decision to bring your time for a social project.The structures within the Hemayat association are far -reaching, and the financing is mainly through donations and public funds. The specialists who work here are ready to work under the usual hourly rate to ensure the necessary support. This enables clients to receive psychotherapeutic help regardless of their financial situation.
The challenge of visibility
An important aspect of their work is the visibility of the association. She emphasizes that events, such as an annual summer festival, be set to appreciate and promote donations to appreciate the work of the therapists. "It is stressful for us that refugees are often perceived as a danger in public discussion," said Gerhardus. In their opinion, however, these are resilient people who need help to process their experiences.
Gerhardus appeals to society to maintain a more respectful way of dealing with refugees. She emphasizes that it is important to change the language in public discourse and show understanding. "We have to approach each other," she demands, because these people have the potential to actively contribute to society. More information about the important work of the Hemayat association can be found on its website www.hemayat.org .
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