Psychosocial Care
Operation Smile’s psychosocial care services help create an emotionally safe environment for our patients and their families, reducing the negative impact of health care experiences.
Anxiety and depression are reported to be 100% more prevalent in adults living with cleft lip and cleft palate compared to the general population.
Living with cleft conditions has been tied to lower values of self-worth and more fear of negative reactions to appearance. Children with cleft conditions are more likely to be bullied about their facial appearance. Unfortunately, this teasing affects a child’s long-lasting mental health, as well as their school attendance.
We equip psychosocial care providers within our patients’ communities with the skills and resources they need to ensure that high-quality care is available close to home.
Dayana didn’t attend school until after she received her cleft surgery at 11 years old.
“I want to be a teacher,” Dayana said.
Our Approach
Operation Smile transforms lives and communities by offering a holistic approach to psychosocial care to safeguard the emotional well-being of our patients while they receive vital medical and surgical care.
Patient Care
We assess the unique needs of each patient and family to improve the patient and family’s psychosocial well-being and quality of life. Our team provides high-quality multidisciplinary services to patients, including psychological preparation, multi-modal anxiety and pain management, medical play, and caregiver and family support.
Education and Training
Operation Smile empowers local volunteers, providers, teachers, parents and caregivers to deliver ongoing psychosocial support. Our education programs — provided through a combination of online courses and in-person training — expand the existing training capacity while empowering the next generation of psychosocial care providers with knowledge and resources to deliver care for their communities.
Through Partnerships
We build partnerships that support our programs with the resources needed to deliver exceptional psychosocial interventions. Operation Smile is committed to training the next generation of medical leaders, engaging caregivers and building a network of partners to create lasting impact.
Expand Your Knowledge
Operation Smile Academy is designed to enhance the experience of medical education in low- and middle-income countries and elevate the capacity for cleft care worldwide. Psychosocial care providers are invited to access a complete curriculum to expand their knowledge and skillset.
Latest Psychosocial Care Stories
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Surgery
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Surgery
At the Center of a Dream
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Psychosocial Care
Helping Heal Through Therapeutic Play
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Psychosocial Care
Completeness of Care: Psychosocial Care Providers
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Psychosocial Care
Treating the Whole Patient: Psychologist Andrea Díaz