What is social vulnerability?

Over the years, we’ve seen the notion of “social vulnerability” in Moldova change quite drastically. In 2008, when our Association had just started its activity, being socially vulnerable meant being of low income or with severe health problems. In such cases, material help used to make all the difference. In the last few years, however, the phenomenon became much more complex and, unfortunately, much more difficult to fight. By 2021, our observations and research helped us conclude that one of the main reasons for our beneficiary families’ long-term vulnerability is, undeniably, poor mental health. Stemming from untreated childhood trauma, stigma and discrimination, domestic violence and abuse, low medical addressability, and other factors, mental health problems are at the base of the seemingly never-ending cycle of poverty, alcohol addiction, and repeated abuse that we see in almost all our beneficiary families.