Within the EU-funded project Consultation Workshop on Strengthening the Potential of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) was held for Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society (AzRCS)

On May 15, 2023, with the support of the European Union (EU) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), a Consultation workshop on Strengthening the Potential of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) was held with the participation of the management and employees of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society (AzRCS).

The objectives of the workshop were to increase awareness and understanding of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) needs in the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society (AzRCS), including the impact of crises and disasters on individuals’ and communities’ mental health and well-being, present and consult on the results of the review of the AzRCS`s capacity to provide effective MHPSS services and identify any gaps or challenges in their current response during the workshop, develop a plan of action for integrating MHPSS into the AzRCS`s programs and services, including capacity building for staff and volunteers, strengthening partnerships with relevant stakeholders, and promoting community engagement and participation in MHPSS initiatives.

The workshop commenced with the opening speech of the Secretary General of the AzRCS, Jeyhun Mirzayev as he greeted the participants and delivered a speech about the work the AzRCS have done on Mental Health throughout the years.

“Throughout the years the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society has been operating Mental Health activities. It is also nice to see that the EU supports the IFRC initiatives to support the MHPSS activity and program in Azerbaijan. We hope to develop and strengthen the National Society’s MHPSS capacity and continue to deliver the best practices to our humanitarian missions,” – Secretary General, Jeyhun Mirzayev.

The vice-president of the AzRCS, Gafar Askerzadeh, also added his thoughts in the following:

“It is really encouraging to see such a workshop within the movement. As you know, the volunteers and staff of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society actively worked in COVID-19 projects as well as during the conflict escalation in Karabakh in 2020. Therefore, it is not a doubt that we do not only need MHPSS activities for our beneficiaries. Our volunteers and staff have also suffered a lot while operating in the field in those years, so we also need to provide MHPSS projects and activities for volunteers and staff. At the end of the day, it is necessary to have colleagues with a healthy mind in humanitarian operations.”

In the following, MHPSS delegate Alaa Alnasser (IFRC) and psychologist Nigar Gadashova (AzRCS) introduced the participants and gave information about the general purpose and expectations of the workshop.

With the impressive activity of the participations, Alaa Alnasser, and Nigar Gadashova, talked about MHPSS activities, Analyzing Organizational Capacity, Feasibility Discussions, Suggested MHPSS Framework and Action Plan.

At the end of the workshop, the opinions of the participants were heard, and the seminar was closed with closing words.