UNDP, WHO and Government of Iraq unite on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for reintegration of Iraqis returning from Al-Hol

April 24, 2022

Photo: Workshop participants. 2022.

One in five people living in an area affected by conflict is expected to have a mental health condition. For Iraq, a country marred by decades of conflict, it’s long been time to spotlight mental health.

UNDP Iraq, in cooperation with the National Security Advisory, Ministry of Health, and the World Health Organization (WHO), recently completed the second phase of training on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in Baghdad for 25 representatives from various Iraqi ministries who form part of the integrated team that works closely with Iraqi families who were displaced and returned from Al-Hol Camp.  

The first training session took place in November last year. Since then, participants were assigned to assess the psychological needs of the internally displaced families returning from Al-Hol Camp to Jada’a 1 rehabilitation center in Ninewa and prepare them for a smooth return and reintegration process to their areas of origin.

The second phase of the training included sessions on lessons learned from their experience with the families in Jada’a rehabilitation center, how to address challenging scenarios, and the way forward.

Photo: Dr. Saeed Al-Jiashi (second from right). 2021.

“For the national team, this is a new area of work and there are no similar experiences to compare with. We are focused on ensuring excellent efforts of the team in the field to assist with the reintegration of displaced families,” says Dr. Saeed Al-Jiashi, advisor at the National Security Advisory.

According to Dr. Suhad Al Asady, a specialist at Al Tamaiuz Center, ONSA, “MHPSS is very important for reintegrating the families who return from Al-Hol camp and face psychological issues.”

Photo: Andrea Bruni. 2021.

“Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) has the potential to offer a fundamental set of interventions to support the safe reintegration of returnees. From as early as possible, reintegration programs should integrate MHPSS interventions at the community level. All interventions should meet the National and International human rights standards and conventions,” says Andrea Bruni, Mental Health Technical Officer for WHO Iraq.

Photo: Nadia Alawamleh (speaking). 2022.

“Our joint efforts with this important MHPSS training supplements UNDP Iraq’s work on ensuring mental health support toward reintegration in areas of return, which include Anbar, Ninewa and Salah al-Din governorates. Focusing on the mental health component of communities is vital to ensure unity and cohesion in Iraq following the social fragmentation caused by conflict,” says Nadia Alawamleh, Team Lead, UNDP Iraq’s Social Cohesion Programme.

In 2020, UNDP Iraq launched a dedicated five-year Social Cohesion Programme to promote stronger, peaceful, and more cohesive communities in all areas of Iraq. UNDP Iraq’s integrated response to support reintegration of Internally Displaced Persons includes Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services, livelihood opportunities and development, as well as housing rehabilitation in areas of return.