Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in Emergencies Course

Course Introduction

Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) is a critical component of effective humanitarian response, ensuring that the emotional, psychological, and social well-being of affected populations is addressed during and after emergencies. This course provides a comprehensive foundation for understanding and implementing MHPSS interventions in crisis settings.

The program explores the impact of emergencies such as conflict, displacement, natural disasters, and epidemics on mental health and psychosocial well-being. Participants will gain insight into common mental health conditions in emergencies, including acute stress reactions, depression, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders.

A key focus of the course is on the integration of MHPSS into broader humanitarian programming, ensuring that mental health support is not delivered in isolation but embedded across sectors such as health, protection, education, and shelter. This integrated approach enhances accessibility and effectiveness of services.

Participants will also examine community-based psychosocial support approaches that strengthen resilience, social cohesion, and coping mechanisms among affected populations. The course emphasizes culturally appropriate, context-sensitive, and community-led interventions that promote dignity and inclusion.

The curriculum highlights international guidelines, including the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) MHPSS guidelines, as well as ethical considerations, safeguarding principles, and do-no-harm approaches in mental health programming in emergencies.

By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and practical skills to design, implement, and evaluate MHPSS interventions that support recovery, resilience, and psychosocial well-being in humanitarian and emergency contexts.

Duration

5 days

Who Should Attend

• Humanitarian program managers
• Mental health professionals
• Psychologists and counselors
• NGO and INGO staff
• UN agency personnel
• Protection officers
• Social workers
• Community health workers
• Emergency response coordinators
• Child protection specialists

Course Objectives

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in emergencies, enabling participants to design and implement effective interventions that address psychological distress in crisis-affected populations.
• Strengthen the ability to identify common mental health and psychosocial problems arising from emergencies, including trauma, anxiety, depression, and stress-related conditions.
• Build proficiency in integrating MHPSS interventions into broader humanitarian response frameworks such as health, protection, education, and shelter programs.
• Enhance skills in designing community-based psychosocial support programs that strengthen resilience, coping mechanisms, and social cohesion among affected populations.
• Develop capability to apply culturally sensitive and context-appropriate approaches in delivering mental health and psychosocial support services.
• Improve understanding of international standards and guidelines, including IASC MHPSS guidelines, and their application in emergency contexts.
• Strengthen ability to conduct needs assessments and psychosocial risk analyses in humanitarian settings.
• Gain expertise in monitoring and evaluating MHPSS interventions using appropriate indicators and outcome measurement tools.
• Develop skills in coordinating with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders to ensure comprehensive mental health service delivery.
• Prepare participants to lead ethical, safe, and effective MHPSS interventions that promote dignity, recovery, and well-being in emergencies.

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to MHPSS in Emergencies

• Understanding mental health and psychosocial support concepts in humanitarian contexts.
• Exploring the impact of emergencies on mental health and well-being.
• Identifying types of psychological distress in crisis situations.
• Reviewing global frameworks and guidelines for MHPSS.

Module 2: Psychological Impact of Emergencies

• Understanding trauma, grief, and stress reactions in emergencies.
• Analyzing psychological effects of displacement and conflict.
• Identifying vulnerable groups at higher risk of mental health issues.
• Exploring coping mechanisms used by affected populations.

Module 3: Community-Based Psychosocial Support

• Designing community-led psychosocial support interventions.
• Strengthening social cohesion and community resilience.
• Engaging local actors in psychosocial programming.
• Promoting peer support and community networks.

Module 4: Integration of MHPSS into Humanitarian Sectors

• Integrating MHPSS into health, protection, education, and shelter programs.
• Ensuring cross-sector collaboration for mental health support.
• Embedding psychosocial care in humanitarian service delivery.
• Enhancing access to integrated support systems.

Module 5: Child and Adolescent Mental Health

• Addressing mental health needs of children and adolescents in emergencies.
• Designing age-appropriate psychosocial interventions.
• Supporting child-friendly spaces and protection mechanisms.
• Preventing long-term psychological harm in children.

Module 6: Protection and Gender in MHPSS

• Addressing gender-specific mental health needs in emergencies.
• Understanding GBV-related psychological impacts.
• Integrating protection principles into MHPSS programming.
• Supporting survivors of violence with psychosocial care.

Module 7: MHPSS Assessment and Planning

• Conducting mental health and psychosocial needs assessments.
• Identifying service gaps and priorities in crisis settings.
• Designing evidence-based MHPSS intervention plans.
• Aligning programming with humanitarian response strategies.

Module 8: Intervention Strategies and Approaches

• Applying individual, group, and community-based MHPSS interventions.
• Using psychological first aid in emergency settings.
• Strengthening referral systems for specialized care.
• Promoting resilience-building approaches.

Module 9: Monitoring and Evaluation of MHPSS

• Developing indicators for MHPSS program effectiveness.
• Measuring psychosocial outcomes and well-being improvements.
• Using data to improve service delivery.
• Ensuring accountability in mental health programming.

Module 10: Ethics, Coordination, and Future Trends

• Applying ethical principles in mental health and psychosocial support.
• Strengthening coordination among MHPSS actors.
• Exploring innovations in digital mental health support.
• Preparing for emerging challenges in humanitarian mental health.   

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com Tel: +254 721 331 808

Training Venue 

The training will be held at our Upskill Training Centre. We also offer training for a group (at a discount of 10% to 50%) at requested location all over the world. The Onsite course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, buffet lunch, airport transfers, Upskill gift package, and guided tour.

Visa application, travel expenses, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Upskill certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com, +254 721 331 808

Terms of Payment:

Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 3 working days before commencement of the training so as to enable us to prepare better.