Training Course on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) (GPC013)
Training Course on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) plays a critical role in promoting the well-being, resilience, and recovery of individuals, families, and communities facing emotional, psychological, and social challenges. In humanitarian and development settings, people may experience stress, trauma, displacement, loss, violence, poverty, and other difficult circumstances that can affect their mental health and ability to cope.
This five-day Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Training is designed to equip participants with practical knowledge and skills to recognize psychosocial needs, understand common mental health challenges, provide appropriate basic support, and facilitate access to relevant services. The training takes a practical and people-centred approach, with emphasis on Psychological First Aid, effective communication, community-based support, referral mechanisms, safeguarding, and staff well-being.
The course also explores how MHPSS can be integrated into different organizational programs, including health, education, protection, humanitarian response, and community development. Through interactive learning, practical exercises, case studies, and group discussions, participants will gain skills that can be applied directly within their professional and community settings.
Course Duration
5 days
Course Objectives
By the end of the training, participants will be able to:
- Understand the key concepts and principles of MHPSS.
- Identify common mental health and psychosocial challenges.
- Recognize signs of psychological distress and trauma.
- Understand the impact of emergencies, displacement, and loss.
- Apply basic Psychological First Aid skills.
- Demonstrate effective communication and active listening.
- Identify appropriate referral pathways and support services.
- Provide appropriate support to vulnerable groups.
- Apply ethical, safeguarding, confidentiality, and do-no-harm principles.
- Integrate MHPSS into humanitarian and development programs.
- Promote staff well-being and manage work-related stress.
- Develop practical approaches for strengthening MHPSS interventions.
Course Outline
Module 1: Module 1: Introduction to MHPSS
- Understanding mental health and psychosocial well-being.
- Key concepts, principles, and approaches to MHPSS.
- Factors influencing mental health and well-being.
- Addressing stigma and misconceptions about mental health.
Module 2: Module 2: MHPSS in Emergencies
- Psychological and social impacts of emergencies and crises.
- Effects of conflict, displacement, trauma, and loss.
- Common stress reactions and coping mechanisms.
- Building individual and community resilience.
Module 3: Module 3: Common Mental Health Challenges
- Understanding psychological distress and common mental health conditions.
- Recognizing signs of anxiety, depression, and trauma-related challenges.
- Understanding grief, bereavement, and emotional responses to loss.
- Addressing mental health stigma and discrimination.
Module 4: Module 4: Psychological First Aid
- Principles and approaches of Psychological First Aid.
- Providing immediate practical and emotional support.
- Active listening and identifying immediate needs.
- Knowing when and how to refer individuals for further support.
Module 5: Module 5: Communication and Active Listening
- Principles of effective and supportive communication.
- Developing active listening and empathy skills.
- Building trust and creating safe conversations.
- Managing difficult conversations and maintaining professional boundaries.
Module 6: Module 6: Supporting Vulnerable Groups
- MHPSS needs of children and adolescents.
- Supporting refugees, displaced persons, and survivors of violence.
- Addressing the needs of persons with disabilities and older persons.
- Applying inclusive, culturally appropriate, and sensitive approaches.
Module 7: Module 7: Community-Based MHPSS
- Role of families, communities, and social networks in mental health.
- Strengthening community resilience and coping mechanisms.
- Developing peer and community support systems.
- Promoting mental health awareness and reducing stigma.
Module 8: Module 8: Referral and Coordination
- Identifying individuals who require specialized support.
- Developing and using appropriate referral pathways.
- Mapping available MHPSS and related services.
- Maintaining confidentiality and coordinating with service providers.
Module 9: Module 9: Integrating MHPSS into Programs
- Understanding MHPSS mainstreaming and integration.
- Incorporating MHPSS into health, education, protection, and humanitarian programs.
- Applying the do-no-harm approach.
- Monitoring and evaluating MHPSS activities.
Module 10: Module 10: Staff Well-Being and Burnout Prevention
- Understanding workplace stress and its effects.
- Recognizing signs of burnout and compassion fatigue.
- Developing healthy stress-management and self-care strategies.
- Promoting supportive working environments and staff well-being.
Module 11: Module 11: MHPSS Needs Assessment and Planning
- Identifying and prioritizing MHPSS needs.
- Developing appropriate MHPSS objectives and activities.
- Identifying risks and available resources.
- Developing practical MHPSS action plans.
Module 12: Module 12: Practical Application and Action Planning
- Applying MHPSS concepts through case studies and scenarios.
- Practicing Psychological First Aid and communication skills.
- Developing appropriate referral and response approaches.
- Preparing individual or organizational MHPSS action plans.
Note: The specific content, activities, and duration of each session may be adjusted based on the target audience, learning objectives, and available time.
Course Language
English
Training Methodology
The training will use a practical and participatory approach combining:
- Interactive presentations to introduce key MHPSS concepts and approaches.
- Group discussions to encourage experience sharing and learning.
- Case studies to explore practical MHPSS challenges and responses.
- Practical exercises and role plays to develop communication, Psychological First Aid, and referral skills.
- Question-and-answer sessions to clarify concepts and address participants’ experiences.
- Action planning to help participants apply the skills gained in their work.
Certification
Certificate of Completion
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Training Course on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) course.
MHPSS is the umbrella term used in humanitarian and development work for any support that protects or promotes psychosocial wellbeing and prevents or treats mental health conditions — from community-level psychosocial activities to focused, non-specialised support.
Protection, health and education officers, case workers, community services staff, counsellors, and programme managers designing or supervising MHPSS activities in humanitarian and development settings.
The training is built around the IASC Guidelines on MHPSS in Emergency Settings, the MHPSS intervention pyramid, Psychological First Aid (PFA), safe identification and referral, and integrating MHPSS across sectors such as protection, health and education.
The course runs as a five-day intensive: USD 1,200 for classroom cohorts in our training cities and USD 600 for the live online cohort (instructor-led over Zoom, same trainer and materials). Upcoming dates are listed on this page.
Yes — every participant who completes the course receives the Perk Group Africa certificate of completion, carrying a unique verification code that employers can confirm on our certificate verification page.
Click Register on any scheduled cohort on this page and complete the two-minute form — no upfront payment. You will receive a confirmation email with your invoice and, for international participants, invitation-letter support for travel.
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