In mid-August, the Idlib Health Directorate organized a training session titled “Advanced Problem Treatment” for 22 mental health workers, aimed at improving the skills of mental health specialists and social workers in the mental health care sector.
The Directorate viewed this training as a significant step toward enhancing mental health and providing support to the community in addressing psychological and social challenges.
Ghosoun Hijazi, the head of the mental health department at the Directorate, explained to Enab Baladi that the primary goal of the training is to equip participants with essential skills for providing psychosocial support to individuals experiencing psychological stress, distress, anxiety, and mild to moderate depression.
She added that the training emphasizes the development of problem-solving skills, relaxation techniques, and the strengthening of social support networks.
Six days and future plans
The PM+ training coincides with the deteriorating psychological conditions of citizens in Idlib, amidst severe economic, social, and health challenges that have heightened their suffering and hindered their ability to find solutions for their daily lives.
Hijazi stated that the in-person training lasted for six days and would be followed by focused supervision sessions over the course of three months, enabling practical application of the concepts learned during the training for more effective implementation.
According to Hijazi, participants were selected based on their previous experience with vulnerable populations or in crisis situations, as well as their capacity to absorb and implement PM+ techniques in their daily practices.
Advanced Treatment Training for Problems in the Field of Mental Health in Idlib – August 17, 2024 (Enab Baladi/Anas Al-Khawli)
She explained that the Directorate is developing future plans for responsible agencies, expanding training to include more mental health workers, implementing PM+ programs on a broader scale in targeted communities, integrating advanced treatment programs into mental health services, and expanding training and other strategies to include adults and children.
Hijazi noted that these trainings improve the effectiveness of mental health professionals by equipping them with practical skills and techniques applicable in various contexts, enhancing their ability to provide effective support in crises, and improving communication with individuals and communities in ways that aid psychological recovery.
Hijazi believes these trainings are a critical component of strategies aimed at promoting mental health in communities facing significant psychological and social pressures.
Frontline Workers
Mental health workers in Idlib encounter complex cases due to the catastrophic conditions affecting citizens from the impacts of war, earthquakes, and severe living and economic situations.
Khaled Al-Khani, a 31-year-old leader of a psychological support team, told Enab Baladi that most trainees work in psychosocial support as a primary line in mental health, conducting direct interviews with beneficiaries, which enhances their role in identifying and referring individuals to specialized services.
Al-Khani explained that their work primarily involves mild to moderate psychological issues and disorders such as depression, anxiety, and psychological stress, while also addressing severe cases like psychosis, bipolar disorder, severe depression, or addiction.
Advanced Treatment Training for Problems in the Field of Mental Health in Idlib – August 17, 2024 (Enab Baladi/Anas Al-Khawli)
Al-Khani stated that the training boosted the trainees’ confidence in their ability to conduct program sessions, master fundamental assistance skills, determine the appropriate timing for utilizing each skill, gauge clients’ progress during sessions, adapt their approaches to the local context, and manage challenging symptoms.
Al-Khani, who is also among the trainees, pointed out one drawback of the training is that it targets a very small segment of the population and is not sufficient on its own.
Several mental health workers interviewed by Enab Baladi urged the Health Directorate and relevant authorities to intensify training in areas such as suicide prevention, addiction management, and closing the gaps in mental health services.
The psychiatric sector is notably insufficient to meet the needs of the region, especially following the February 2023 earthquake, which exacerbated existing issues, according to information gathered by Enab Baladi from multiple sources within the sector.
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Advanced Problem Treatment Training for Mental Health Workers in Idlib
In mid-August, the Idlib Health Directorate conducted a training entitled “Advanced Problem Treatment” for 22 mental health workers, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of mental health specialists and social workers engaged in mental health care. This training is vital in uplifting mental health support in communities grappling with severe psychological and social issues.
The Directorate views this training as a crucial step towards bolstering mental health, enabling society to effectively confront psychological and social challenges arising from ongoing crises.
According to Ghosoun Hijazi, the head of the mental health department in the directorate, the primary objective of the training is to equip participants with necessary skills for providing psychosocial support to individuals experiencing psychological stress, anxiety, or mild to moderate depression.
The training incorporates essential problem-solving skills, relaxation techniques, and the reinforcement of social support systems, all geared towards enhancing the quality of mental health interventions.
Six Days of Intensive Training and Future Plans
The PM+ training program spans over six intensive days and is strategically designed to address the deteriorating psychological conditions of citizens in Idlib exacerbated by dire economic, social, and health crises.
Hijazi indicated that this training will be followed by focused supervision sessions over three months, enabling participants to apply their newly acquired skills in real-world contexts effectively. This practical application is essential for solidifying the concepts taught during the training.
Participants were selected based on their valuable experience working with vulnerable populations or in crisis environments, ensuring they could effectively absorb and apply PM+ techniques in their practices.
Looking ahead, the Directorate plans to expand training initiatives across responsible directorates, broadening the number of mental health workers trained, implementing PM+ programs in various communities, and integrating developed treatment programs into existing mental health frameworks. Such expansion would also encompass strategies tailored for both adults and children, recognizing the diverse needs within the population.
Hijazi emphasized that these trainings are indispensable for enhancing the proficiency of psychological specialists, granting them practical skills applicable across various contexts. This training notably boosts their capacity to provide effective support in crisis situations and facilitate better communication within individual and community settings.
Understanding the Role of Front Line Workers
Mental health workers in Idlib confront multifaceted issues due to the catastrophic aftermath of war, the recent earthquake, and other challenging living conditions. These frontline workers play a pivotal role in addressing the urgent mental health needs of the community.
Khaled Al-Khani, a 31-year-old leader of a psychological support team, informed Enab Baladi that most trainees are actively engaged in providing psychosocial support as frontline mental health responders. They conduct direct interviews with beneficiaries, significantly enhancing their capacity for detection and referrals to specialized services.
The nature of their work primarily focuses on mild to moderate psychological challenges, including anxiety, stress, and depression, while also acknowledging the existence of severe cases such as psychosis and bipolar disorder that require more extensive intervention.
Al-Khani noted that the comprehensive training significantly boosts the trainees’ confidence in implementing program sessions, mastering essential assistance skills, identifying optimal opportunities to utilize each skill, and adapting their approach based on clients’ progress and local contexts.
However, he expressed a concern that the training only accommodates a limited number of participants, indicating that more expansive outreach is necessary to address the substantial demand within the community.
Identifying the Gaps and Needs in Mental Health Support
Many mental health workers in the region emphasized the need for the Health Directorate and relevant authorities to intensify training efforts focused on critical areas like suicide prevention, addiction management, and holistic mental health integration.
A report by Enab Baladi highlighted that the psychiatric sector in Idlib is overwhelmingly unprepared to address the profound mental health needs of the population, especially in the wake of the February 2023 earthquake, which only intensified existing pressures on mental health services.
Benefits of Enhanced Training for Mental Health Professionals
- Increased Capability: Training reduces knowledge gaps, equipping workers with essential skills to handle complex mental health cases.
- Improved Community Support: Well-trained professionals can offer effective community interventions, leading to better mental health outcomes.
- Crisis Management: Enhanced skills enable quicker identification and referral to specialized support, increasing the chances of effective intervention.
- Adaptability: Training encourages adjustments to local contexts and builds cultural competency, essential for effective service delivery.
Practical Tips for Mental Health Support Workers:
- Regularly update skills through ongoing training and professional development.
- Engage in community awareness programs to destigmatize mental health issues.
- Utilize peer supervision to share experiences and enhance skills collaboratively.
- Advocate for more training programs to reach a wider audience of workers in need.
First-Hand Experiences in Mental Health Training
A participant in the program noted, “The training has profoundly enhanced my understanding of mental health challenges, enabling me to offer better support to my clients. It has changed how I perceive my role and the impact I can have on individual lives.”
Such testimonials underscore the importance and urgency of bolstering mental health services and equipping workers with the necessary tools to cope with the significant psychological landscapes in conflict and disaster-stricken areas.
