“The Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society became the sun shining brightly on me after the rain”

With the financial support of the European Union (EU), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is implementing a project called “Bridging the Gap between Community Needs and Local Capacities and Capabilities of the Civil Society Actors in Azerbaijan”, with the aim to strengthen the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) capacity of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society (AzRCS).

Meet Gunel. Gunel is a volunteer for the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society.

“My name is Gunel Abbasova, and I have been a volunteer with the Aghdam district branch of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society for 14 years. Due to displacement from Aghdam, the conflict left many traces in my life: my unfinished dreams, my lost childhood, and my inability to pursue higher education. Little Gunel had already grown up, but her dreams had not yet come true. I always thought that when I grew up, I would become a lawyer and help people in need.”

Gunel explains that throughout these difficult experiences, the National Society gave her hope to live and helped her realise her potential.

“Time passed, year after year, and I was losing hope. However, when my hopes were nearly exhausted, I happened to meet a person who informed me about the Aghdam branch of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society and said there was a need for volunteers. He mentioned that I could be a part of this community’s mission as a volunteer without financial compensation. Normally, each of us expects some financial support in return for the work we do, even if it is small. But somehow, I didn’t think about it for a second. I had already made my choice. I believed that I would find myself there, and indeed, I was not wrong. The Red Crescent Society became the sun after the rain that had fallen on me.”

The National Society became a place where she could develop her knowledge and skills. However, Gunel still felt that something was missing.

“Years later, I had given up on the idea of studying, but I began to develop myself at the National Society. I visited many regions and cities, received training from professional and educated trainers, and increased my knowledge and skills.”

“I started to feel happier. I participated in the distribution of humanitarian aid, provided first aid, met many people, and made friends. But there was still something missing. Sometimes I was very weak. Sometimes I ran away from situations as the fear of losing did not allow me to move forward.”

“As I developed, I began to search for myself. Who am I? Where am I? Where should I be? I asked myself these questions all the time. One day they announced a new training. When I heard the name of the training, a spark arose in me. At that point in my life, I needed exactly that – mental health and psychosocial support training.”

The mental health and psychosocial support field helped her fill the missing void in her life, made her understand herself better, become happier, and improve her relationships with people.

“While attending training and participating in activities in this field, I better understood myself and my aspirations. Over the years, I reached a level where I could inform other people on this topic. As an AzRCS volunteer, I started working with children aged 5-12 in schools, conducting psychosocial sessions for them.

Now I have found myself, and I know that it is impossible to be healthy without mental health. I can handle stress and take care of myself. I conduct awareness sessions for community members on this topic. If people are aware of mental health, it can protect them from psychological problems and traumas. They realise that there is hope and light in their lives.”

“I am stronger now. I want people to unite and support each other in difficult situations, just like we do at the National Society. I am very grateful to the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society and the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support team who helped me.”