 |
|
Psychology Professor Mike Wessells, Ph.D. |
Randolph-Macon College psychology professor Mike Wessells, Ph.D., recently received a $10,000 grant from Psychology Beyond Borders to conduct research in Sri Lanka on how psychosocial assistance in the aftermath of armed conflict and natural disasters can inadvertently cause harm.
According to Wessells, “Some of the greatest suffering in these situations is psychological—due to losses of home, loved ones, separation from family members and exposure to attack. It is now widely recognized that psychosocial support is a fundamental part of the humanitarian response to people in emergency settings.” Wessells’ research aims to learn from national and international practitioners in Sri Lanka how psychosocial assistance causes harm and what can be done to minimize and prevent further harm.
“Professor Wessells is one of Randolph-Macon’s finest and his research efforts are an inspiration to us all,” said R-MC president Robert Lindgren. “His scholarly work reflects his dedication and commitment to the College and to the betterment of humanity on a global scale.”
Wessells co-chaired the InterAgency Standing Committee Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings. These were the first global, consensus guidelines for the field, and their development was motivated in part by the desire to adhere to the humanitarian imperative Do No Harm. This was a two-year effort at the highest policy level of the humanitarian world—27 different United Nations agencies and NGOs (Non-governmental Organizations) collaborated in developing these guidelines for the field of mental health and psychosocial support.
“My goal, through this research, is to enable psychosocial humanitarian support to be most beneficial to people in their hour of need,” says Wessells. “I am thrilled about this small grant because it addresses a topic that has been taboo for too long. Hopefully, this research will help to bring the subject to light and enable us to learn how to prevent harm.”
Wessells is the author of Child Soldiers: From Violence to Protection (Harvard University Press, 2006). He serves as senior advisor on child protection for Christian Children’s Fund and regularly advises United Nations agencies and governments concerning child protection and children in armed conflict.
Wessells has been at Randolph-Macon College since 1981. “When I began teaching at R-MC, I taught traditional psychology courses,” says Wessells. “After receiving the multidisciplinary Kellogg National Fellowship, which R-MC nominated me for, I went multidisciplinary and tried to address real world issues of conflict and peace, serving also as coordinator of interdisciplinary studies.” Although presently on leave, Wessells taught a January 2008 psychology course.
Throughout his career, Wessells has been honored with numerous awards for his dedication and contributions in his field. The American Psychological Association awarded him the International Humanitarian Award, the Presidential Citation for Distinguished Contributions to the Discipline and the Profession, and the Ralph K. White Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict and Violence.
Wessells was also awarded the Thomas Branch Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Samuel Nelson Gray Distinguished Professor Award. In 1996 he received the Virginia Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council of Higher Education and from 1983 – 1986, he was awarded the Kellogg National Fellowship. Wessells received his B.A. in psychology from Roanoke College and his Master’s and Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.