LocationsPsychosocial support in Ayadiyah available to community and returnees
Making mental health a priority:
November 18, 2021
Photo: Workshop participants. 2021.
In Iraq, significant urgent crises such as violent conflict and lack of livelihoods have taken precedence over mental health and provision of psychosocial support for far too long. Providing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) is vital to supporting a healthy and cohesive community, especially in communities of return, where displaced Iraqis are returning to their homes for the first time following years of displacement.
From 25 – 27 October, UNDP Iraq, organized a workshop on MHPSS for twenty social workers from the Ayadiyah subdistrict in Ninewa. Following the training, the social workers will extend MHPSS services to 200 community members in Ayadiyah, including returned IDPs and families perceived to be affiliated with ISIL, who have often suffered due to the actions of relatives they are no longer in contact with.
Photo: Workshop participants. 2021.
MHPSS services are one component of the Support for Ayadiyah Reconciliation and Reintegration Project implemented by UNDP Iraq in partnership with the Iraqi Institute for Development. In addition, the project includes vocational and business training, as well as small grants to local businesses.
Photo: Nawar. 2021.
“This training has enhanced our confidence in delivering services and emphasized that cooperation is the secret to success. It has capacitated us to identify mental illnesses and their impact on individuals, and how to deal with them.”
-Nawar, 35, Social Worker.
Photo: Amna. 2021.
“I want to focus on helping women and children by enhancing their self-confidence and helping them plan to achieve what they aspire to in their personal and professional lives.”
-Amna, 29, Social Worker.
Photo: Mohammed. 2021.
“Following this training, we will work to enhance reintegration within our community by conducting focus group discussions and awareness sessions, as well as through the formation of child protection committees, committees of local leaders, and the implementation of community initiatives.”
-Mohammed, 30, Social Worker.
Support for Social Cohesion in Iraq is a five-year programme launched in January 2020 to improve the enabling environment for peace and social cohesion in all areas of Iraq.