July 1st saw the official opening of our latest project, Broken Minds,  a psychological support centre for Syrian refugees in Istanbul.   Since the start of the Syrian conflict in 2011, over 1 million Syrian’s have crossed the border to Turkey to find refuge, with over half having suffered some psychological trauma.   As we have previously worked in Turkey to help Syrian refugees, we have witnessed how the youngest and most vulnerable are left to deal every day with what they have previously witnessed during the civil war.   Having fled to safety in Turkey, often only with the clothes they were wearing and with loved ones missing, daily life is not only physically challenging but for many women and children they have deep psychological scars which could manifest into long term mental health issues.   Working alongside our partner organisation AID, we will be directly helping 240 Syrian children and their mothers who are currently living in Istanbul, rebuild their lives.   Through this centre, each individual will be able to access variety of psychotherapy services. Workshops and art therapy services will help the children and their mothers to explore and express their feelings. Through art, they will be able to discover talents and learn new skills to overcome their traumas. Workshops will include water marbling, jewellery making and painting. Personal and social skills will increase to empower them to be independent and confident individuals, who will feel positive about their futures.   In addition, the women will be given advice about their basic rights, Turkish language classes and access to social services to help reduce the alienation they make feel about their new environment, as well as training to learn new skills to gain paid employment.