Training of trainers on mental health and psychosocial support in emergencies, Africa

This field report summarizes the general psychosocial training topics, describes two critical sessions and presents outcomes from a training of trainers conducted in Africa, with twenty-five psychosocial field practitioners from fifteen non- governmental organizations, on the Inter-Agency Standing Committee's Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings. The training goals were to support a core group of resource persons for Africa on emergency psychosocial work, and offer a forum for explicit learning about and application of the recently published MHPSS guidelines in field work. Also included are highlights from the education and staff care sessions provided by the actual training facilitators. Finally, outcomes and feedback from participant evaluations are briefly presented.