Violence and Mental Health of Women in Internally Displaced Camps: Experimental Evidence from Nigeria

The mental health conditions of women in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps is of crucial interest to policy makers because of the negative impact of their mental health condition on long term health outcomes, labour market participation and social integration. Consequently, this study aims to answer the following questions: Does access to mental health counseling services in IDP camps improve the mental health of women who have experienced violence? Does access to mental health counseling services help to integrate these women back into society? In the first phase, we will conduct an observational study using a random sample of women across multiple camps and host communities to analyze the correlation between exposure to crime and violence and mental health outcomes. This phase will provide critical insights into the unique vulnerabilities and mental health status of women in these contexts, compared to those in more stable environments. Building on these findings, the second pilot phase will involve an RCT in collaboration with a local NGO, where we will implement a structured counseling intervention for a selected group of women who have experienced violence and abuse within the camps.