Regional Training: Community-Based MHPSS

We are pleased to invite staff and volunteers to participate in the first Red Cross Red Crescent Movement MHPSS Hub regional training for Anglophone Africa on Community-Based MHPSS in Kenya.

This five-day training is intended for Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies. Other humanitarian organisations are also invited to apply (See participant requirements).

Community-Based approaches to Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (CB MHPSS) in emergencies are based on the understanding that communities can be drivers for their own care and change and should be meaningfully involved in all stages of MHPSS responses. Emergency-affected people are first and foremost to be viewed as active participants in improving individual and collective well-being, rather than as passive recipients of services that are designed for them by others. Thus, using community-based MHPSS approaches facilitates families, groups and communities to support and care for others in ways that encourage recovery and resilience. These approaches also contribute to restoring and/or strengthening those collective structures and systems essential to daily life and well-being. An understanding of systems should inform community-based approaches to MHPSS programmes for both individuals and communities.

The training will provide an understanding for participants in key aspects of community based psychosocial support, including understanding the impact of crisis events, supportive communication, protection issues and self-care.  Furthermore, it will introduce a clear, actionable framework for staff and volunteers to effectively plan and implement community-based MHPSS (CB MHPSS) activities in a participatory manner. This training will provide specific activities and interventions as well as focus on the guiding processes.

Training objectives 

• Participants will have a basic theoretical understanding of CB MHPSS, including:
• Participants will be able to effectively explain MHPSS and CB MHPSS to communities and key stakeholders (internal and external).
• Participants will have a clear understanding of the steps involved in planning and implementing CB MHPSS activities.
• Participants will be aware of practical tools and resources for each step of the activity planning process.

The training takes place in Nairobi. Kenya from 19 to 23 May 2025.
Each day of the training will be from 09.00-16.00 hrs EAT.

Participants must be able to participate in the entire training, arriving the night before and departing from the training venue no earlier than 5 pm on the last day of training.

The training is highly interactive and problem-based with practical exercises, group work, role plays, and case studies. Participants must be fluent in written and oral English to be able to engage actively in the course, which is a requirement to pass the training successfully.

Participants will receive a certificate based on:

• Minimum of 80% attendance during the training
• Actively participation during the training

Participant requirements:

• Actively participate in all sections and tasks related to the training
• MHPSS focal persons, or MHPSS portfolio holders
• Staff and volunteers directly providing MHPSS to affected communities

Please apply: here 
NOTE: For your application to be considered, please answer all questions. 

• Deadline for application: Monday 21 April 2025.
• Visa requirements to Kenya: here
• Cost: There is no training fee. Participants cover their own expenses for travel, accommodation, and other expenses. Lunch and snacks and one social dinner will be provided during the training.

For questions:

• Please write: to Project Coordinator, Frida Maria W. Henriksen: Frihe@rodekors.dk