Programme Overview
Community is a cornerstone of mental health. Armed conflicts, natural disasters, forced migration, and displacement are not only disruptive to individuals, but result in shared injuries to social ecology that call for collective responses. Community based MHPSS suggests that communities can well become the drivers of their own change, and thus should meaningfully be involved in recovery responses.
This training programme has exclusively been developed by Risalat to help communities foster cohesion, promote recovery, and contribute to their own resilience in the aftermath of crises and disasters. The programme views community based MHPSS as an integral part of humanitarian response in addressing the psychosocial effects of trauma of crisis-affected populations.
Target Audience
This Community based MHPSS Training would benefit a diverse range of individuals and groups within communities who are likely to engage in providing support to affected populations. These may include:
- Community health workers
- Community leaders and volunteers
- Humanitarian practitioners
- Members of NGOs operating in crisis environments
- Local government officials
- Social workers and psychologists
- Youth groups
- Members of CSOs/CBOs
Tick what your team needs to be able to do.
Programme Objectives
This programme is aimed at equipping participants with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to effectively support the mental health and psychosocial well-being of individuals and communities in times of crisis or adversity. Upon the successful completion of this programme, its delegates are expected to:
- Comprehend common mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as the social determinants of mental health.
- Analyze protective factors, risk factors, and common signs and symptoms of mental health problems.
- Develop skills for providing psychosocial support to individuals and groups affected by crises or traumatic events including active listening, empathetic communication, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.
- Engage with and mobilize community resources, strengths, and networks to promote mental health and psychosocial well-being.
- Foster partnerships with local organizations, leaders, and stakeholders to develop community-driven responses to mental health challenges.
- Understand self-care strategies and how to build personal resilience to cope with emotional challenges.
Programme Contents
- Understanding mental health and psychosocial well-being
- The need for MHPSS in crisis and disaster contexts
- Biological, psychological, social, and cultural determinants
- Protective and risk factors
- Common mental health disorders
- Vulnerable populations and special considerations
- Essential skills for psychosocial support
- Active listening
- Empathetic communication
- Psychological first aid
- Strategies for providing immediate support
- Cultural competency for MHPSS
- Self-care and resilience
- Mobilizing community resources and support
- Establishing peer support networks and community-based groups
- Identifying individuals in need of specialized support
- Collaboration with local healthcare service providers
- Awareness raising and advocacy for mental health
- Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of MHPSS interventions
- Airport Pickup & Welcome Assistance
- Accommodation with Breakfast for the full duration
- Welcome Dinner for networking and connecting with fellow Participants & the Risalat Team
- Risalat Training Kit, including: bag, water bottle, coffee mug, t-shirt, cap, passport cover, pens, notebook, magnet, keychain
- Lunch Provided Daily during training days
- Comprehensive Course Manual & Training Materials
Full day-by-day contents
First Day
- Understanding mental health and psychosocial well-being
- The need for MHPSS in crisis and disaster contexts
- Biological, psychological, social, and cultural determinants
- Protective and risk factors
- Common mental health disorders
Second Day
- Vulnerable populations and special considerations
- Essential skills for psychosocial support
- Active listening
- Empathetic communication
- Psychological first aid
- Strategies for providing immediate support
Third Day
- Cultural competency for MHPSS
- Self-care and resilience
- Mobilizing community resources and support
- Establishing peer support networks and community-based groups
Fourth Day
- Identifying individuals in need of specialized support
- Collaboration with local healthcare service providers
- Awareness raising and advocacy for mental health
- Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of MHPSS interventions
Fifth Day – Exposure visit
The last day of the programme shall entirely be dedicated to the exposure visit in Bergen. Within the scope of this visit, programme delegates shall meet with the representatives of partner humanitarian organizations and centers concerned with community based MHPSS provision. Participants shall have a broad discussion about the best practices and challenges of implementing community based MHPSS initiatives.
Programme Methodology
This Community based MHPSS Training is a highly interactive programme. It combines proven adult learning tools and techniques. Open presentations are complemented by group assignments, case studies, role plays, scenario analysis, and panel discussions.
Course Deliverables
Participants will enjoy a full-service experience that covers everything needed before, during, and after the programme:
Before the Programme
- Participant Pre-Assessment to ensure effective preparation
- Complimentary Visa Support & Advisory (E-visa applications are fully processed by our team)
During the Programme
- Airport Pickup & Welcome Assistance
- Accommodation with Breakfast for the full duration
- Welcome Dinner for networking and connecting with fellow Participants & the Risalat Team
- Risalat Training Kit, including: bag, water bottle, coffee mug, t-shirt, cap, passport cover, pens, notebook, magnet, keychain
- Lunch Provided Daily during training days
- Comprehensive Course Manual & Training Materials
- Project-Based Templates, Tools, and Worksheets
- Mini Pad / Tablet for convenient access to digital resources
- Digital Case Studies, Reading Packs & Reference Materials
- Access to Sample Datasets & Practical Exercises
- Field Visit (where applicable)
- Complimentary Refreshments & Full Training Venue Facilities
- Access to Online Learning Resources
- Entertaining City Tour
- Certificate of Completion
- Risalat Programme Participation Recognition Award
After the Programme
- Post-Training Support & Follow-Up Guidance
- Programme Report
£4,600 per participant · invoice and bank transfer · groups of 5 or more receive a discount
Five or more from one organisation: ask for the group rate on the invoice request.
Ten or more: an in-house version for your institution may cost less per person. Ask for an in-house quote.
Registration closes in 5 days (23 Oct 2026)



