UNICEF supports IRCS to provide children with quality psychosocial support services during emergencies

Thirty-five national master trainers of the Iranian Red Crescent Society’s (IRCS) psychosocial support team, SAHAR, participated in a workshop organised jointly by UNICEF Iran and the Youth Organization of IRCS from 18 to 20 August 2024 in Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi province. The IRCS’ SAHAR teams consist of volunteers trained to provide Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) following disasters.

During this UNICEF-supported workshop, the master trainers enhanced their capacity on “Ensuring Quality in Psychosocial and Mental Health Care and Support (EQUIP)”. EQUIP assists SAHAR’s master trainers with planning and conducting training and supervision for the volunteers of the SAHAR teams. The enhanced skills and capacities will result in more children, adolescents and their families receiving effective and safe mental health services during emergencies.

The next step involves supporting the IRCS in the field implementation of EQUIP . Towards this, UNICEF will organise advanced-level training for SAHAR’s master trainers, involving EQIP facilitators from UNICEF’s Headquarters. UNICEF will also explore expanding this framework to other MHPSS service providers, such as the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, the State Welfare Organization, NGOs, and other relevant community workers.

This activity is part of a series of UNICEF-supported capacity-building initiatives with IRCS’ SAHAR teams to provide quality MHPSS to children, adolescents and their families during emergencies.