For Caritas Iraq. In cooperation with and funded by Caritas Germany – Caritas international, with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
A capacity-building project with Caritas Iraq funded by Caritas International since 2021 training 20 MHPSS staff as VBC® counselors, supervisors and trainers, including technical supervision and staff care.
20
VBC® counselors trained
28
Community Care Givers trained and supervised
34
support groups set up
The project, which is implemented in cooperation with Caritas Germany – Caritas international, is a significant contribution to the national strategy of capacity building through sustainable skill and structural development for non-specialist mental health staff.
A pivotal measure is the further training of 18 MHPSS employees of Caritas Iraq, which is one of the largest national organisations providing MHPSS services for vulnerable population, as well as of two psychologists working in the Health Directorate of the Kurdish regional government in Dohuk as Value Based Counselors. The training included a 12-week part dedicated to theory and self-awareness and -reflection in six blocks in 2022 and a practical part in 2023. In addition, 18 MHPSS employees of Caritas Iraq, who in 2021 had completed a Training of Trainers (ToT) for the training and mentoring of volunteer Community Care Givers (CCGs) received support for supervising 28 CCGs who acted as facilitators for 34 low-threshold local MHPSS self-help or support groups, in which, altogether, more than 300 people participated.
IPSO VBC® training was the first training of this length and intensity held in Iraq, where previous training for MHPSS (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support) staff was limited and ranged from a few days up to a maximum of two weeks. This measure has enabled Caritas Iraq to expand its existing strong commitment to MHPSS. It also allows Caritas Iraq to implement the full MHPSS pyramid in its projects. For many people living there, it will provide the opportunity to receive rapid and low-threshold psychosocial support without having to use the already overburdened public health system.
The project is funded by Caritas Germany with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
IPSO would like to thank them, as well as Caritas Iraq and the Dohuk Government Health Directorate for the opportunity to introduce VBC® in Iraq – for the benefit of many people whose mental health has been affected by the consequences of war and conflict.
In cooperation with and funded by:
