Training on Community-based MHPSS during Emergencies and Displacement

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.

Delivered by Risalat Consultants International in Bergen, Norway, it combines expert-led sessions, real cases and group work, so that participants can apply what they learn in their own institution.

The Programme Strengthens Institutional Capability

• 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
• Environmental and social risk screening
• Assessment instruments and management plans
• Stakeholder engagement planning
• Grievance mechanisms that work

It is designed for professionals who want 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 and others who want practical, current skills in environmental, social and stakeholder management.

The Growing Importance of Training on Community-based MHPSS during Emergencies and Displacement

Financiers now require projects to identify and manage environmental and social risks from the start, and to involve the people affected. Weak safeguards management causes delays, suspended disbursements and lasting harm to communities.

Good practice in stakeholder engagement, grievance handling, inclusion and resettlement protects people and keeps projects on track. Teams who understand the standards and apply them early save time and build trust.

Organisations increasingly require professionals capable of:

• Screen and classify environmental and social risks
• Prepare and implement management plans
• Engage stakeholders meaningfully throughout the project
• Run grievance mechanisms that resolve issues
• Monitor and report on commitments to financiers

Strong environmental, social and stakeholder management systems help organisations:

• Avoid delays and suspended disbursements
• Protect communities and workers
• Meet financier standards and commitments
• Build trust with affected people and the public

This Training on Community-based MHPSS during Emergencies and Displacement programme brings these elements together in a practical format, so that participants understand not only what good practice looks like but also how to introduce it in their own setting, with the people and resources they have.

Who Should Attend This Training on Community-based MHPSS during Emergencies and Displacement Training?

This programme is designed for:

• 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
• Environmental and social specialists
• Safeguards officers in PIUs
• Project and programme managers
• Community liaison and engagement officers
• Resettlement and livelihood specialists
• Gender and inclusion officers

The programme suits experienced professionals as well as those moving into new responsibilities. Groups that mix institutions and countries are encouraged, because participants learn a great deal from each other’s experience.

Training on Community-based MHPSS during Emergencies and Displacement Training Objectives

Upon successful completion of this Training on Community-based MHPSS during Emergencies and Displacement Training, participants will be able to:

• Explain the environmental and social standards that apply to their projects
• Screen and classify risks and impacts
• Prepare the key instruments and management plans
• Plan and carry out meaningful stakeholder engagement
• Set up and run a grievance mechanism
• Apply labour, health and safety requirements
• Address land, livelihoods and vulnerable groups
• Monitor and report on environmental and social commitments
• Prepare an action plan for their project

Each objective is practised during the programme through exercises, cases or group work, so that participants leave able to do it, not only to describe it.

Programme Contents and Structure

Training on Community-based MHPSS during Emergencies and Displacement Training 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.

The programme combines:

• Expert-led sessions on current practice
• Regional and international case studies
• Group work and practical exercises
• Simulations and role plays where relevant
• Discussion of participants' own challenges
• Peer learning across institutions and countries
• Practical tools and templates to take back to work
• Daily reflection and action planning

Before the programme, a short pre-assessment helps the facilitators understand each participant’s role and priorities, so that examples and exercises can be adjusted to the group. Each day ends with a short reflection in which participants note what they will apply at work.

Expected Outcomes

Upon completion of this Training on Community-based MHPSS during Emergencies and Displacement Training, participants will be able to:

• 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

Participants leave with a personal action plan and practical tools they can use in their institution from the first week back. Institutions that send several participants can use the programme to agree shared methods and templates across teams, which makes improvements easier to sustain.

Institutional Application of Training on Community-based MHPSS during Emergencies and Displacement Training

This programme supports organisations in strengthening:

• Environmental and social risk management
• Stakeholder engagement
• Grievance redress
• Contractor management
• Inclusion of vulnerable groups

Participants return with practical tools to improve:

• Management plans
• Engagement plans
• Grievance logs
• Monitoring reports
• Incident reporting

The programme is built so that learning moves from the classroom into the institution. Participants work on their own processes and documents where possible, and leave with an action plan that their managers can review and support.

Regional Relevance & Application

Europe

European institutions apply environmental, social and stakeholder management within detailed regulatory frameworks and reform agendas. Participants from Europe can compare their practice with colleagues from other regions and test how established methods work under different conditions.

Africa

Across Africa, ministries, agencies and project teams working in environmental, social and stakeholder management increasingly operate alongside donor-financed programmes that expect clear systems and evidence. The programme helps participants adapt good practice to the institutions and resources they work with.

Middle East

In the Middle East, national development strategies and diversification plans place growing demands on environmental, social and stakeholder management. Participants explore how to build the capability these plans need inside public bodies and companies.

Asia

Institutions across Asia combine rapid growth with ambitious modernisation programmes. Participants from Asia can share their experience of scaling systems quickly and learn from approaches used elsewhere.

Pacific

Small island and Pacific states face particular constraints of size, distance and capacity. The programme highlights practical, proportionate approaches to environmental, social and stakeholder management that suit smaller institutions.

Holding the programme in Bergen, Norway brings participants together away from their daily pressures, so they can compare how environmental, social and stakeholder management is handled in different settings. The same programme can also be delivered in-house for one institution, in its own country or online, with cases taken from its current work.

Host Country Profile – Norway

Programmes, Workshops, Exposures, Training Courses in Bergen, Norway by Risalat Consultants International

Studying away from their own country gives participants time to focus, a fresh view of their own institution and the chance to build a network with colleagues from other countries.

The programme takes place at Citybox Bergen.

Training on Community-based MHPSS during Emergencies and Displacement Training Deliverables

Participants receive support before, during and after the programme, so that preparation, learning and follow-up form one continuous experience.

Before the Programme

• Participant Pre-Assessment
• Training on Community-based MHPSS during Emergencies and Displacement Readiness Assessment
• Training on Community-based MHPSS during Emergencies and Displacement Resource Pack
• Preparatory Reading Materials
• Complimentary Visa Support & Advisory

During the Programme

• Airport Pickup & Welcome Assistance
• Accommodation with Breakfast
• Welcome Networking Dinner
• Risalat Training Kit (Bag, Bottle, Mug, T-Shirt, Cap, Passport Cover, Pens, Notebook, Magnet & Keychain)
• Comprehensive Training on Community-based MHPSS during Emergencies and Displacement Training Manual
• Risk Screening Checklist
• Stakeholder Engagement Plan Template
• Grievance Log Template
• Environmental and Social Monitoring Template
• Practical Workshops & Simulations
• Group Discussions & Peer Learning
• Daily Lunch and Refreshments
• Full Access to Training Venue Facilities
• Mini Pad / Tablet with Digital Learning Materials
• Field Visit (where applicable)
• Entertaining City Tour

After the Programme

• Certificate of Completion
• Risalat Programme Participation Recognition Award
• Post-Training Reference Materials
• Commitment Tracking Sheet
• Contractor Compliance Checklist
• Post-Training Support & Follow-Up Guidance
• Programme Report

Institutions can also request a tailored in-house version of this programme, delivered at their premises or online. Request a proposal.

Common Challenges in Training on Community-based MHPSS during Emergencies and Displacement, And How This Training Helps

How can institutions screen and classify environmental and social risks?

The programme addresses this directly on the first day (Understanding mental health and psychosocial well-being, The need), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions prepare and implement management plans?

The programme addresses this directly on the second day (Vulnerable populations and special considerations, Essential skills), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions engage stakeholders meaningfully throughout the project?

The programme addresses this directly on the third day (Cultural competency for MHPSS, Self-care and resilience), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions run grievance mechanisms that resolve issues?

The programme addresses this directly on the fourth day (Identifying individuals in need of specialized support, Collaboration), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions monitor and report on commitments to financiers?

The programme addresses this directly on the fifth day (Exposure visit), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where does the Training on Community-based MHPSS during Emergencies and Displacement programme take place?

It runs from 1 Feb 2027 to 5 Feb 2027, in Bergen, Norway (Citybox Bergen). The registration deadline is shown at the top of this page.

Who should attend?

The programme is designed for professionals who want 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, and others who want practical skills in environmental, social and stakeholder management.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes. Participants who complete the programme receive a Certificate of Completion from Risalat Consultants International.

Can this programme be delivered for our institution only?

Yes. We can deliver a tailored in-house version at your premises, in another city or online, built around your own cases. Use the proposal request on this page.

Do I need prior experience in environmental, social and stakeholder management?

No specialist background is required beyond experience in a related role. A short pre-assessment helps the facilitators adapt the sessions to the group.

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